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racked with sharp temptations, and heavy trials. But in Christ they have all one measure. IN HIM they are completely saved —everlastingly justified—and infinitely glorious-" ALL GLORIOUS within: her clothing is of wrought gold." Yes; poor soul;

"Whatever is lacking, the Lord will supply."

5. These curtains were joined one to another, so as to make "one tabernacle." And the members of the true Gospel Church must be "perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." Where this is really the case, there is great peace within; and the church becomes “terrible as an army with banners" against sin, error, hypocrisy, the world and satan.

[The representation which we have of our gospel Zion in the prophet Isaiah xxxiii. 20-22, and in Ephesians ii. 19-22, were then noticed. Also, the good feeling which should exist between the churches of Christ, and the essential blessings of "grace and peace," as earnestly desired by the Apostle in the text, were adverted to; but we forbear to occupy our pages with any further report of the discourse.]

Mr. WISE was then asked to give some account of his call by grace: his call to the ministry : and to declare his faith as regards the Trinity, the Person of Christ, the standing of the Church in Christ; and the work of the Holy Ghost: which he did.

with an everlasting love, therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Light shone upon the path in which he had led me: he opened up to my mind that all the terrible things he had taught me in righteousness, was his way (though I understood it not,) of bringing me to himself with lovingkindness and now the time had come to open the secret to my mind; and that the cause was his own free, sovereign, and everlasting love: "not for your sake, but for my own great name sake, that I might shew the exceeding riches of my grace." Thus the God of my salvation conquered me with his mighty love, and brought the stoutest rebel to his feet, to taste the sweetness of natural eyes; I heard no voice with my everlasting love. I saw no vision with my natural ears; but things were made known Word of Life thus opened to my enlightened to my heart. I tasted, handled, and felt the understanding ; and it had a life-giving power to remove all my sin and sorrow, and make me happy in the love of God, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do not think, gentle reader, that I have deand, if thou hast tasted of the love of God scribed what I felt. No; it is impossible; in Christ, you know well that it is impossible to describe it; but it is something like what David describes—“ Thou hast brought me up from the lowest hell." It is God's bringMr. WILLIAM ALLEN, of Cave Adullam, his apprehensions, to the lowest hell; it is ing a sinner, a sinking sinner, sinking in Stepney, then spoke from 2 Timothy ii. 15. God's bringing him up, and setting him From these words, and from his own experi- down, as it were in the very centre of heaven; ence he gave MR. WISE some exceedingly setting him down in the love of God, for sound and wholesome advice. Right glad" God is love;" and I know of no other should we be to record the whole of it here, but we cannot. If MR. ALLEN, (or any one who might have taken notes of it,) would assist us, we should willingly give it in a future number-considering it highly calculated to be useful to young men in the ministry.

heaven but the love of God, through Christ Jesus my Lord. "And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham; and Abraham returned unto his muning with his worm, my poor body was own place." And when the Lord left comMost ardently do we pray, that the cause the first time in my life, experimentally, "I overpowered with sleep, and I could say, for at Edward Street, may be owned and honour-will both lay me down in peace and sleep; ed of God, to the bringing in and building up of many precious souls.

Life and Experience of James Mason,
Minister of the Gospel, Harleston, Norfolk.

Continued from p. 287, vol. ii.

I WAS solemnly brought to abhor myself before God, and to feel an hatred to my own sin, that I had never experienced before. I had a solemn view of the foreknowledge of God;

"He saw me ruined in the fall;"

he saw all my sins, iniquities, and transgres

sions ;

"And loved me notwithstanding all :" broke down, in my soul, every obstacle, to the entering in of his love; and answered all my objections with, "Yea, I have loved thee

for thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety." I awaked, and my sleep was sweet the sweet savour of this visit of love resting unto me. I awaked in the morning with upon my soul; the dews of heaven resting upon my branch; and I was enabled to take language of my heart, in the experience of up the following language as my own, as the my soul—“ Bless the Lord, O, my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name; bless the Lord, O, my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving-kindness, and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles." And for a full hour after I was up, my soul was full of blessing and

praise to the God of my salvation. But as I was called to mix with worldlings in my lawful avocations in life, these feelings began to subside, and I soon began to feel the power and malice of the tempter, who came with his old temptations that it was all delusion, and the fancy of my own brain; that the Scripture I had so rejoiced in, did not mean me at all, nor no one else, personally, but God's Israel of old: and I do believe in my soul, that satan doth not care how much general, or universal religion a man has; he will furnish men with plenty of such religion as that, and build them up in pride, presumption and hypocrisy. But I know, from experience, that he will fight with all malice against the personal work of God the Holy Ghost in a poor sinner's soul; and God hath been pleased of his infinite mercy, so to lead and instruct me, in his dear truth, that all the religion in the world would be of no use to me, without a personal interest in the love of God, in Christ Jesus my Lord. "I do esteem all things but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him; not having on mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death." It pleased the Lord, at this time, not to leave me long under the power of this temptation; he delivered me, by again speaking his word into my heart, that he would never leave me nor forsake me.

I now come to a subject, which next to my own soul's salvation, I have been more tried and exercised about, than any thing else, that is

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upon me, and one day as I sat at work, these words dropped into my mind, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." When I had finished my day's work, and went home, these words were so upon my mind that I could not rest without getting the Bible and finding them; which I did in Mark v. 19. I began telling my wife about it; I read the chapter, and expounded away as I read" there," said I, " that man amongst the tombs is just a picture of me; and Jesus Christ hath cast the devils out of me, as he did out of that man; and commanded me to tell my friends of it ;" and I believed what I said. I have heard of some preaching to chairs and tables, and others to horses and carts, but I preached first to my wife and children; and I believe I preached till she was sick of hearing me. I engaged in prayer, and when I got up from my knees, there was my poor wife on her knees fast asleep. This was casting cold water upon my zeal and preaching. I seemed after this to be brought into the experience of this poor sinner. I seemed like him to long to continue sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in my right mind; he prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not; my enjoyments were withdrawn, and this Scripture followed me; my mind became exercised as to what it could mean, and what the import of the command was; for it was to me a positive command from Jesus Christ, to tell how great things he had done for me, and had compassion on me : and the poor man to whom it was originally spoken, obeyed the command, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him. But I could not see how nor where to begin, beside this, the work of the ministry seemed such a great work, and I had such a sense of my unfitness for it, that I tried to put it away from me, aud banish the thought from my mind; but the Scripture followed me by night and by day. One evening taking a walk all alone, after I had done work, and pondering over it, I was all at once made as it were to stand still in the road, and cry

if so be God hath called me to that important and honourable work; for it is the most important work in which a mortal can be engaged to stand as a mouth for God, betwixt the living and the dead; and to be so fitted by God himself, as to be able to take forth the precious from the vile, "rightly to divide the word of truth, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." When God" Lord, what doth it mean? What wouldest brought me to know and feel that I was a sinner, and as a sinner, what an awful situation I was in, I soon began to see what an awful situation my fellow sinners were in; and when he brought me to taste his love, amongst the feelings it produced in my soul, this was one-when men talked with me about religion, if I knew they were living in sin, from a feeling within, I was compelled to warn them of the danger they were in; if they talked of feeling they were sinners, I could not help telling them what a precious Saviour I had found, and pointed them to his redeeming blood, and cried, "Behold the way to God." These feelings increased

thou have me to do?" When it was as though a voice answered me-" Go stand in the temple; and speak to the people all the words of this life." This appeared to me a greater mystery than ever; I went home and found the words. (Acts v. 20.) The words were plain to the apostles, but to me they were a mystery: there was no temple for me to stand in; no way opened for me to fulfil the message, if indeed it was a message from God. Satan now assaulted me with his old temptation, that this was all a delusion, and the fancies of my brain, and very soon I should go raving mad; and I really thought it. My soul was bowed down within me ;

me,

has befel the sons of salvation.
in the beginning, when his delight was with
the sons of men, so is it now, and shall be,
till the last enemy is destroyed, which is
DEATH.

And having seen his goings in the sanctuary, shall I be silent; or learn a lesson from Miriam's mirth? Shall I listen to the little

puerile persuasion - -"Do not publish it abroad, for the affairs of private meetings are connected therewith?" Oh! let the wings

of the wind declare the glory, honour, and blessing due unto him that sitteth upon the throne; and may I have grace given to join with that grateful girl, who took a timbrel to teach her companions this chorus of victory: Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea."

66

but God did not leave me here; in this try- | held with intense interest, every battle which ing hour he spoke a promise home to my As it was heart big with mercy-"Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." This precious promise strengthened me, and encouraged me, and delivered me from the temptation of the enemy. But still the mystery of the Scriptures that followed me, remained the same. Soon after this, these words were spoken to me-" Go preach my Gospel;" this appeared plain to and I cried" Lord, I will, if thou wilt teach me; and open a door for me to do thy bidding." A few nights after this, I dreamed I was in a pulpit, in a chapel that was thronged with people, and I had to preach; I thought in my dream I got up and took these words for a text-"We have found the Messias." I could not tell the people in my dream where they were; but I was truly happy in preaching about Jesus Christ, and felt grieved when I waked; and thought if preaching was such sweet work, I did not care how soon the Lord set me to work; but I thought I will wait till he opens a door, and then I shall know it is his hand; the exercises of my mind on this subject, produced an high fever of body, and great debility of the system altogether, so that I was unable to attend to my work. My employer was kind to me, and permitted me to take my work home that I might be more quiet, than I could be in working with men in the shop, saying that I could do a little when I felt able, and could rest between whiles; for I was so ill in body that I was not able to hold up my head long together; and believe it entirely arose from the exercises of my mind.

(To be Continued.)

Unicorn Yard Chapel.-No. 2.

THAT "the Government shall be upon HIS
shoulders," is a glorious assurance made to
the church of Christ. That Zion's trials,
troubles, woes, and wars, are all subject to
the sovereign control of the Covenant head.
"Great is the Lord, and worthy is he to be
praised," is a song of thankfulness which
well becometh, and is become the chorus of
á company of wearers of white robes in
Unicorn Yard Chapel. "Shew thyself, O,
God of our salvation," has been the prayer
of his people." "I will be very attentive
to the voice of thy cry," has been the answer
of their God. What a priest !
prophet! What a prince is HE!! A priest
to whom we can approach, making known
our desires and distresses. A prophet who
vouchsafes to "reveal it" in the hearts of
the redeemed. A prince who reigns to rule,
and dispense rich donations, as a monarch of
mercy. From heaven's high tower has he be-

What a

:

Here will I record a few facts connected with Israel's war, and Israel's victory: About twelve months since, Mr. PENROSE began privily to sow the tares: while, in order that they might take well-grounded root in the hearts of the members, his labours were confined to that of a "domestic missionary," by which means many unstable souls were beguiled; the erroneous doctrines being decorated by such dresses as should most easily delude the intended victim. Numerous converts were made, ere the publication of them from the pulpit, by which means, Mr. P. had obtained many "believers," or rather "unbelievers;" indeed, so successful was the scheme of privacy, that I believe nearly one-half the members were deceived thereby. When the doctrines were publicly preached, many more greedily devoured them, believing they were those gifts of knowledge, by the Holy Ghost, which are promised in the last days: considering them peculiarly welcome, on account of their tendency to shew the reasonableness of christianity and the plausibility of divine mysteries. The errors propagated were the following: I. That wicked men, and the devil, and his angels, will be annihilated, or all consciousness of pain be destroyed.

II.

III.

Denial of the immortality of the soul. No act of a creature can alter his nature; and that consequently, Adam was never a holy being.

IV. The fallen spirits were never angels of light.

V. Death, which is affixed as the wages of sin, implies literal destruction of body and soul-affirming, that the soul of Christ died to pay the penalty that justice required.

VI.

The dignity of the glorious person of the Son of God affected not his character as a surety, for if eternal, misery be the penalty due to the breach of God's law: Christ must have suffered eternal torments in hell.

I may remark, that the foregoing doctrines | cumstances. are based upon the first mentioned, viz :the cessation of punishment of the wicked; concerning which I need not now speak, referring my readers to a sermon shortly to be published in this magazine; but I think it would not be unprofitable to shew, that the reception of one error, is invariably a precursor to the embracement of others, as exemplified by the doctrines in question: thus:

I. "That the cessation of the consciousness of the wicked in the world to come," necessarily involves an extinction of life, consequently denial of the immortality of the soul.

II. "The denial of the immortality of the soul," involves the admission "that death, which is affixed as the wages of sin, implies literal destruction of body & soul." III. "That the devil and his angels will be annihilated" compels an admission of their non-immortality, hence, " that the fallen spirits were never angels of light," all creatures in heaven being immortal. IV. "That the fallen spirits were never angels of light" supposes them to be created impure, involving the error, "that no act of a creature can alter his nature; and that Adam was not created a holy being.

Hence, may be seen the texture of this piece of satanic net-work, by which the father of lies would entangle souls; but, blessed be his holy name "the government is upon his shoulders," and he has given commandment concerning his people, that they shall know the truth though that knowledge may for a time be eclipsed.

But to continue :-Affairs in the church now assumed that position, when those who believed" the true faith" worth contending for, could no longer remain quiescent. A few of the members associated themselves together, determining to resist all error, and fight spiritually for the doctrines of Christ. A committee was formed, from which holy league went forth the cry, "Who is on the Lord's side?" in answer to which proclamation, eighty-five Israelites responded, "We will go with you, for we perceive that God is with you." Indeed, the Lord has been with us; his holy arm has been stretched over us to counsel, instruct, guide, and grant us a great victory. Many times he has so manifestly overruled the devices of the adversary, and turned the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, employing that very foolishness to overthrow the deceitful counsellors, and bring about the escape from the snare of the fowler. But to continue :-The committee I have referred to, issued a circular, explaining the steps they had taken in declaring war against doctrinal uncleanliness, and their determination to carry on the war, however the contest might be prolonged by cir

This printed document was

highly approved of by ministers of Jesus Christ, being devoid of any bitter feeling, while it was marked by a determined spirit. A plot was now laid to deprive thirteen individuals, by whom the protest was signed, of church membership, Mr. P. declaring such proceedings were likely to turn the church upside down, and put the whole city in an uproar, paraphrasing for the occasion, Acts xxi. 28. wherein it was shewn, that the said individuals were the men that besought the people not to hearken to the doctrines taught in that place, and that we were worthy to be excommunicated from citizenship in consequence. A motion was then made, that we be ejected from their communion, and put out of the synagogue; but during this time, the Lord was looking down from his pillar of glory, and observing the profane attempt, confounded the speech of the projectors, and gave to whom he would the tongue of the learned; the holy fire with which they were clothed, burning up the inflameable materials which composed the fabric of the complaint; when, as a necessary consequence, not one word remained to be uttered. "The brief," with which the complainants were provided, was laid on the table, while the ungodly scheme was buried in its own abortion.

The issue of the said circular was felt by Mr. P. to be likely to cause such a wound, as could not be healed; Mr. P. forseeing the gathering tempest, determined to fortify himself, by the acquisition of three deacons who were favourable to the fables, considering by this means, to get the high place of God into possession; but Jehovah, who was riding upon the storm, overturned the piratical purpose. But I must be concise, as I am encroaching upon these columns. However, there is one righteous act of the Lord I must record :-Mr. P. was frequently advised to take the verdict of the members by shew of hands, whether he should continue to be their pastor, since he was preaching such doctrines. To this appeal, he obstinately refused, conceiving he would have a minority, although future facts have shewn it was the contrary.

Affairs in the church now assumed that appearance when a crisis must arrive. The congregation considerably diminished, occasioned by the absence of the lovers of truth, and the doctrines failing to obtain increased support. The temple looked gloomy, in which gloom the finances shared no small part.

At this juncture the deacons were earnestly solicited to request some efficient minister of the cross to meet with Mr. P. for the purpose of engaging in public controversy in the chapel, in order that the members, after hearing the scriptural support which the newly revived doctrines claimed, and the validit

of that support questioned by a minister of truth, might then be able to form their conclusions from a more apparent basis; it being felt that very many were misled by cunning craftiness, in their inability, through mental ignorance, to combat with the foe. Mr. BRADLEY was then a believer of the anti-scriptural doctrines, and Mr. BEACH was undetermined; therefore it must be said, to their praise, that they addressed letters to Mr. FOREMAN and WELLS, inviting them to chapel at a set time, there to digest the nature of the doctrines; Mr. P. having offered to meet the most able of ministers that could be procured. The benefit hoped to be derived from this controversy was that the members would possess greater abilities for forming a correct judgment of their truth or error, by the elucidation which would attend the proceedings; after which, it was intended by the deacons, that the sense of the church should be taken regarding Mr. PENROSE. Mr. FOREMAN declined meeting Mr. P. considering his doctrines bordering on Atheism, and so manifestly anti-scriptural that no controversy could be needed. Mr. WELLS accepted the challenge; which, when it became known, struck terrific terror throughout the camp of the aliens. The crest of presumption was blighted, and a shew of imperial pomposity dwindled to doleful despair. Mr. W. desiring to proceed in this holy war, with christian calmness, and due solemnity, addressed the following letter to Mr. P.

bility, agree to the rules, he would, as he
deeply sympathised with the church. Now
it required no small measure of skill to pro-
duce another impediment, which, however,
was accomplished, by Mr. P. refusing to be-
come the first speaker. I then clearly per-
ceived that the controversy could tend to no
possible benefit; for by such an arrangement,
it would devolve upon Mr. W. to assure the
congregation that Mr. P. truly did believe
such doctrines, whereby Mr. P. becoming
the latter speaker, would escape the possi-
bility of his arguments being tried by the
fire of the Word of God. I therefore ad-
dressed to Mr. WELLS the following note :-
My Dear Sir,
Nov. 20, 1846.

I have seen Mr. PENROSE's represen-
tative this morning, and another stumbling-
block has been placed in the way, which I
think cannot be removed without disgracing
ourselves. I shall take an opportunity of
seeing you, meanwhile do not entertain any
hopes of a discussion taking place. I am,
your's in christian unity,
To Mr. J. WELLS.

WILLIAM JEffery. Mr. WELLS fully concurred in the impossibility of agreeing with this second impediment, from whom I received this note :

DEAR SIR: I think there would be a great degree of absurdity in the discussion being conducted in the manner proposed by Mr. P. I should have to grapple with shadows as one that beateth the air. The people would know nothing of his reasons for his present position; and therefore, for me to attempt to DEAR SIR, shew he is wrong, before he has given his I am willing, in the fear of God, to like a barrister going into court without a reasons why he thinks he is right, would be meet you, to discuss the mighty matter of brief. I therefore do not think it would be the future punishment of the wicked, pro-wise to enter upon the discussion under such vided the same shall be conducted by such rules as I can approve. an arrangement. Your's very truly, in the Gospel of God. JAMES WELLs.

Nov. 16, 1846.

Mr. JEFFERY is deputed by me to arrange for your approval, the rules by which I am willing to act, Your's very truly,

To Mr. PENROSE.

JAMES WELLS.

Mr. P. appointed his representative, who came to me provided with certain rules, one of which was that Mr. P. was to have the first hour granted him, in order that he might endeavour to shew the scripturality of the Athenian doctrines, after which, Mr. W. was to have one hour for the purpose of shewing the old fashioned faith to be scriptural, and the modern notions anti-scriptural. To this we agreed; fixing the morrow for final determination as to whether Mr. P. would agree to them; when I should shew them to Mr. W. for his approval. The morrow came, and an objection was raised by Mr. P's representative, which verified the prediction of many viz., that a stumbling-block would be cast in the way, during some stage of the proceedings. I advised Mr. W. to relinquish the matter, but he determined to accede to them, saying, that if he could by any possi

To Mr W. JEFFERY. Mr. P. being determined to adhere to this obstacle, the affair thus concluded. To Mr. WELLS the members feel greatly indebted; for while many might have refused any connection with a church in such a disorderly state, Mr. W. manifested a more noble spirit in endeavouring to rescue some, as it were pulling them out of the fire. I say how much more generous than, like the priest and the Levite who passed by the "unfortunate," who had fell among thieves wishing his wounds better, and afflictions appeased. WILLIAM JEFFERY.

[We deeply regret our inability to give that part of Mr. Jeffery's letter which announces Messrs. Beech and Bradley's satisfactory renunciation of the doctrines; we can only add, a resolution was passed at a recent church-meeting expressive of the entire satisfaction which the church felt respecting the explanation they were enabled to give. This, with other particulars, in our next.]

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