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fallen man, who would have half, and rather more, of the glory that belongs to God alone ; but such preachers and preachings as these my soul abhorreth and loatheth. Oh my soul enter thou not into their secret, unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united.'

to say

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as I was, but was obliged to return without a crumb; my soul robbed and spoiled of all sweet feelings, of desire and love; but filled instead with disappointment and vexation: oh, thought I, here is a pretty state of things, one Sabbath a man gets up and speaks of the precious truths relating to the security and blessedness of the one church of Christ; of the free, unmerited, sovereign love and favour of God in Christ to that church, which neither men nor devils shall ever be able, in the slightest degree, to hinder, alter, or impugn. The next Sunday, up gets a man in the same place, endeavouring all he possibly can, covertly to overthrow the free grace of God to poor sinners, and the yea and amen gospel of God; and instead thereof to bring in a wretched yea and nay system, which cannot possibly be of any benefit to poor lost sinners; but may serve to please hypocrites, who never yet have felt their need of a Saviour, and therefore are going in their own conceit to save themselves, at least to do a good part towards it.

Well, dear sir, if you can muster up patience to hear me out, I will proceed - I have been in this part now a year and a half; and since I have been here I have been wandering up and down, here and there, to one chapel and another, if so be I might find the blessed joyful sound of the gospel trumpet, proclaiming, Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price.' But alas! alas! how miserably I have been disappointed from time to time; such a miserable jargon of law and gospel, grace and works, yea and nay, mixed up, or rather attempted to be mixed up together; I have found that it had well nigh sickened me of all preachers, and chapels too. Well, a few weeks ago, I had intimation that a man from Thus, dear sir, I have finished my Alvechurch, named John Freeman, was story; I hope you will excuse the liberty going to preach at Studley Baptist I have taken, and if you think it worth Chapel, on Wednesday evening, I went while to reply to this, and tell me when to hear him, and I trust I can say not John Freeman will be at home, I shall without profit; for contrary to my ex-be much obliged. Wishing the Lord may pectation, I did find a man who, as far as I am enabled to judge, did manifest himself as being taught of God; 'rightly dividing the word of truth,' and 'seperat ing between the precious and the vile.' I heard again the same good old fashioned truths my soul loves, and this gave me a longing desire to hear the man again. To Mr. John Freeman, Baptist Minister, Well, the Sunday before last I went to Alvechurch for that purpose, and there again, I trust I can say, the Lord did bless the word to me, even to the comforting, encouraging, and establishing of my soul in the truths of the blessed gospel. Well, I was not satisfied with what I had received, or rather, I had not had enough of it (and never shall till I get home); so, again, to Alvechurch did I go on last Sabbath morning, with a longing appetite for some more real gospel food; but alas! alas! how miserably disappointed I was, instead of John Freeman, I found a somebody, I don't know who, in the pulpit; and instead of gospel bread, fit food for living souls, such wretched husks and chaff were dealt out that I could not eat a morsel, hungry

bless you, and according to his own
gracious promise, be with you and en-
able you at all times and in all places to
speak as you ought to speak, is the
sincere desire and prayer of

Your's, for the truth sake,
WILLIAM H. CHARMAN.

Alvechurch, Worcestershire.

JOHN FREEMAN'S ANSWER.

DEAR BROTHER IN THE FAMILY OF THEM WHOSE NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN :-Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied. I received your kind letter this morning, which contains a portraiture of myself, as it regards experience; but I scarcely know how to reply to it, but in order to give you some idea of my present state, I must briefly state to you how the Lord hath brought me by a way which I know not, to become a witness for him, of the truth in this day of trouble, rebuke, and blasphemy, wherein the faithful witnesses

of the whole gospel of salvation have ble. I had no friend within the circle of to prophecy, clothed in sackcloth, for my acquaintance to open my mind to, truth is trampled down, and he that de- but the Lord who had made my heart parteth from evil maketh himself a soft, and the Almighty who had humbled prey. I was once a preacher of Christ me, knows the sleepless nights, and the and Co., or Christ a cypher, and man severe struggle which was going on in the figure. This period of my life took up me, the poor Shulamite, between the ten years, from the age of twenty to company of two armies; and in the order thirty, but mark, my brother, although of his providence, I had a little book I really believed, and preached univer- put into my hand, called the 'Christian sal redemption, suspended, as to its Crucible,' written by Mr. William Giles, saving benefits, on the conditions, re- of Liverpool. This book just met my pentance, faith, and obedience, and all experience, but still I could not emthese conditions to be performed by brace it, because of the unpalateable fallen man, which system I plainly see, truths which it contained; but to cut now, shuts out the whole human race the matter short, this man, Mr. Giles, from even a possibility of being saved was sent of God to Alvechurch, in July, at all; but was I at ease? no: verily not! 1844, and proved to be the honored inbecause there was as much opposition strument of bringing my soul out of between my creed, and my experience, prison. He came and preached honestly as there is between darkness and light. the precious truths of God, which I I was perpetually being short in the never before heard, and the Lord who performance of my pharisaical condi- knows that my soul had been wearied, tions, and therefore, whenever I at- by a perpetual conflict between truth tempted to balance accounts with my and error, and humbled, and melted Maker, of course I found myself deeply down, softened and made willing; yes! in debt; therefore I had to take refuge the Lord did the work, under that disin Christ as a make-weight, or help-out, course; he sealed me, and gave me the to make my scanty garment broad earnest and foretaste of heavenly bliss enough to cover me, and my bed long in my heart; and from that moment enough to rest upon: but I am convinced till the present, Christ is my all and in that as at that time, I was miserable all, in faith, in practice, and ministry. indeed, because leaning upon myself, I never conceal the truth from any; but instead of an unchangeable Christ; I wherever I go, it is my aim to declare am perfectly convinced, that wherever as far as is given me to do, the whole there is a real work of grace in the heart, counsel of God. But think not, my such an individual cannot rest satisfied dear brother, that I am at ease, far from with that miserable trash, which you it; I am placed, and have been, for nearly have so properly pictured out in your two years, to preach the gospel to a letter. Well, what did I do in this state people who neither know, nor love it; of mind? I endeavoured to be a man of yea, worse, they trample it under their no creed, and deal only in generals; but feet, and turn again and rend me; and try being an enemy in my heart to the truths in every possible way to injure me in of the gospel, frequently would the en- my character, and to lead people away; mity of my heart manifest itself, whilst yea, drive them from under the word, preaching, in speaking evil of that way and prevent others from coming to hear which I then knew not. But sing oh the word of God. Such hath been my heavens, and be joyful oh earth,' the situation; I have obtained grace, suffiLord had his love upon me, I was forced cient to preach the gospel to a people contrary to my inclination, to resign who turn up their noses at it like swine, my place as a preacher, and being then and are ready to spit in my face, amid living at Alvechurch, I attended the poverty, privation, and want of bread; chapel, but alas! alas! there I heard such and such is the ingratitude of the people, a contradictory system, one man con- that no effort appears likely to be made tradicting another; yea, speaking the to render it possible to abide among truth in the morning, and contradicting the people, and I have resolved, after it in the afternoon; yea, more, contra- trying every possible way, to procure dicting themselves even in one discourse, a honest livelihood, by manual labour that my poor soul was as sick as possi- at my trade; but find my means insuffi

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cient, I have not a single friend as I know of, who cares as they ought to do for my state; but enough, I have more than I deserve.

Dear Brother, I was at Bilston last Lord's-day, as they are without a pastor, I consented, at their urgent request, to supply there for one Sabbath, but I fully expect to be at home, on next Lord'sday, for this one thing keeps me living at Alvechurch, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel, so that if I should be out, I will write and let you know, but if I do not, you may depend on my being at home. I am, dear Brother in Christ, your companion in tribulation, JOHN FREEMAN.

To Mr. H. Charman,

The Protestant Charitable Society.

AT Union Chapel, Cumberland Street, Curtain Road, Shoreditch, Sept. 19th, was held the 170th anniversary of the Protestant Charitable Institution.

This Society was established in Miles' Lane, 1677, to give assistance unto the family of God in times of persecution. Mr. James Wells, of Surrey Tabernacle, (says a correspondent) preached a most blessed sermon, in which he shewed himself a scribe well instructed in the mysteries of truth. Our prayer is that the Lord would pour his blessings upon the solemn and weighty statements made from Rev. xii. 11' And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. I cannot forbear sending the following circumstance mentioned by Mr. W. He said 'I was not aware of such a Society being in existence. I am sorry I knew not of it before. A few weeks ago I was preaching in a place about 17 miles from London. There was no gospel there until a farmer opened his house for public worship. This gave offence to the farmer's landlord, and to the parson of the parish. The landlord threatened the farmer that unless he closed his house against it, he should pay rent for it, (which up to this time he had not paid) Very well,' (said the good man) the Lord, no doubt, will help to pay for it.' He did so. The landlord still continued to be offended, and discharged two or three of his poor labourers, who went to the house. The farmer was again threatened by his

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landlord; and he told the farmer he was going to London, and when he returned, this gospel preaching in his house should be altered. He went to London; but, mark the hand of God; that day fortnight he came home, but it was in his coffin!

The event frightened the parson and the enemies of the gospel, and caused persecution to cease. There are numbers of cases of a similar kind to this in our own country going on still!'

Death of the late James Weller,

Of Robertsbridge, Sussex.

FROM the following extracts from letters which we have received, it will be seen that this dear servant of Christ has, after a long affliction, entered into rest. A friend writes as follows:

from

"DEAR SIR:-This comes in acknowledgment of the receipt of you, to Mr. Weller, on the 9th. It was very thankfully received. But, I am sorry to inform you, at this same time, that Mr. Weller is now no more in this life, He departed about seven o'clock on Lord's-day evening, September 12; very happy in his soul; and, in this, we his friends, around him, are happy also; and, we doubt not, the whole church at large will be to hear the same things." Robertsbridge, Sept. 13, 1847.

66

R. W."

From another friend, who says— "DEAR FRIEND:-I received yours of this morning. Our dear brother Weller departed this life at a quarter past seven o'clock on Sunday evening, quite sensible to the last. He has felt quite willing, and at times, longing to depart, for this last fortnight; and has been very comfortable in his mind generally during that time. He had a most blessed visit from his dear Lord last Sunday fortnight, exceeding all that he ever had before; since which time I have not heard him express a doubt. His hope was fixed on the Rock-Christ. He said to a friend who was with him a short time before his spirit fled 'DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.' His poor wife and family were with him; to whom he gave suitable advice, and died in peace, without a struggle. The day appointed for the funeral is next Friday, at two o'clock in the chapel. Mr. Cowper will officiate on the occasion.

T. T." "Robertsbridge, Sept. 15, 1847."

The People of God led forth by a Right Way.

A SPIRITUAL DISSERTATION UPON THE TYPICAL CHARACTERS OF THE

TWELVE SONS OF JACOB.

LETTER IV.

MY FRIEND AND BROTHER IN THE and Godhead he silenced the storm, and TRUTH-A necessity seems to be laid conducted the vessel safe into harbour. upon me to attempt a further elucidation Christ not only walked upon the sea, of the plan which I have purposed to lay in proof of his eternal power and Godbefore you. It was this: that the first head; but, like Jonah, he went down six sons of Jacb were typical of the rich into the sea, and he did the greatest provision of that everlasting covenant business there, that ever was accomwhich David says, was 'ordered in all plished. It was there he laid hold of things and sure.' By reference to my sin, and death, and hell, by their very former letters you will find I have spoken roots; ah! and he pulled them up too of Reuben, of Simeon, of Levi, of Judah, root and rine, and cast them into the and of Issachar. Zebulun, then, is the depths, the utmost depths-what Joel next to be considered; and he was the (ii. 20) calls 'the hinder part toward last of the first division; and as Issachar the utmost sea;' and though they be represented Christ in his mediatorial sought for, they shall never be found. character, so, in and by Zebulun it is de- It is true, as Joel says, that in this world, clared that Christ should be a dwelling place for his people, both in time and in eternity.

The interpreters agree that Zebulun meaneth an habitation, or dwelling-place: and that this pointed to Christ in his glorious complex character, (and as that secret place of the Most High;' in whom the whole election of grace were hidden from all eternity,) appears to be confirmed by the beautiful revelations which the Holy Ghost made of Christ, in the patriarchal, and prophetic ages.

How heavily laden with rich gospel and experimental matter is that prophecy of Jacob's! (Gen. xlix. 13.) "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon." There was a literal fulfilment of this prophecy (in measure,) as is briefly declared in Joshua xix. 10-16; but if you connect the prophetic blessing of Moses (Deut. xxxiii. 18, 19,) with the one I have quoted from Jacob's mouth, you will find a sweet setting forth of Christ, as the refuge, the hiding place, and the eternal habitation of his people.

Surely, that great and wide sea is referred to, in Scripture, as a figure of the world, which may be said to hang between the wrath of heaven, and the yawning gulf of the bottomless pit! Upon this dark and dismal ocean of sin and death Christ walked. He was in the ship with the church when the heavens gathered blackness; when the hurricane threatened to make a total wreck of the whole; and by his almighty power

the poor church is sadly pestered with an 'ill stink and an ill savour that does come up from the fountain of iniquity: and this often makes the poor spouse of Christ to be sick and bad. But, then, Christ is a Good Physician;' he will send her health and cure; and more than all, he has prepared for her a most delightsome land, where neither violence, sickness, nor sorrow shall ever be known.

There, everlasting spring abides,

And never withering flowers,
Death, like a narrow sea, divides

This heavenly land from ours.
Sweet fields, beyond the swelling flood,
Stand dress'd in living green;
So, to the Jews, old Canaan stood,

While Jordan roll'd between.

But, there are yet thousands of little churches of Christ-like so many ships, tossing about upon the boisterous ocean of this world; and not a few of them are at this very time most severely afflicted by that tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. This word Euroclydon (says a learned writer) is compounded of two words: one signifies the east wind: the other, a billow; it was called by various names, always indicating that it was a black, violent, gusty, ship-wrecking wind, bringing destruction with it; a striking figure of that east wind which comes up from the dreadful mouth of satan, and which, when it blows hard upon the sea of man's corruption, is sure to raise a most dreadful storm, by which millions of sinners have been driven headlong into hell; and many

even of the election of grace, have, in in flames of temptation; in clouds of

these storms, lost every thing but their vital union to their God and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

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darkness; in pits and snares; and in thousands of satan's devices. And to what end are they thus baptised? To I say; look, ye servants of Jesus bring up, (through the power of the Christ; ye chosen ship-masters, serving Holy Ghost working in, and by them,) under our glorious Admiral, our blessed elect, and redeemed sinners, from a Zebulun; look, I say, how correctly the death in trespasses and sins to a life of Holy Ghost hath described the manner righteousness and peace: for, whether of our being brought into this service, in we be affliced, it is for your consolation that twenty-seventh of the Acts-And, and salvation, which is effectual IN THE entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we ENDURING-(mark that!) in the endulaunched,' &c. Adramyttium meaneth ring of the same sufferings which we also 'the court of death the mansion of suffer." (2 Cor. i. 6.) Now, as the death.' How strikingly significant was apostle argues, seeing our whole ministhe name of this ship to the circum-terial life is a life of labour, conflict, temstances into which it was to be plunged! pest-tossing, and experimental deathAnd how certain it is, that when the a dying to every thing that is gratifying, Lord of life and glory is pleased to put and satisfying to flesh and blood-seeing a man into the ministry, he enters upon that it is not so much in this life that that service which introduces him into we have hope in Christ- What shall the courts of death. Such a man is sure they do that are baptised for the dead, if to have the sentence of death within: the dead rise not at all? Why are they, and death will be written upon every then, baptised for the dead?" Why, inthing by which he is surrounded; and deed! But, we know that a full reward even the ministry of the word will often- shall be given; for God is not unrighteous times work death in him, while it will to forget your work, and labour of love. be a dispensation of life to others. One of our old sailors, who has long since left the service, and has entered the mansion of glory-was once writing to some of his friends-(1 Cor. iv. 9.)—and he very nicely describes this court of death'I think, (says he) that God hath set forth us, the apostles, last, as it were appointed to death; for, we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.' Why, a minister's life is just what Paul declares it—a dying daily -a fighting daily-a being consumed daily. I am not certain that it is not more especially of real ministers that Paul speaketh, than it is of any other class of persons, when arguing about the resurrection of Christ-(1 Cor. xv. 29, 30.) he says-'Else what shall they do which are baptised for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why, are they, then, baptised for the dead? What baptism is that? Who are they which are said to be baptised for the dead? Well, I believe in my very soul that they are the real ministers of Jesus Christ: the men that go down to the sea in ships; that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.' These men are not only baptised with the essential baptism of the Holy Ghost; but they are baptised in mental sufferings; in floods of sorrow;

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But, in returning to the 27th of Acts, let me notice, this baptism of suffering, this Euroclydon tempest, comes not at the beginning of the voyage. For, although there may be many contrary winds, and our sailing may be but very slow, yet, many of our bargemen, and ship masters have, at first, been indulged with some pleasant cruising in the place which is called the fair havens.' 'Oh, how softly did the south wind blow upon my soul, the few first years that I was sent out to sea! In fact, it was not sea; it was only a little pleasuring up and down the streams of that 'river which maketh glad the city of our God.' But, after this, there arose (see Acts xxvii. 8-20.) a tempestuous wind; it carried the ship into the bowels of the storm; many helps were used; but the tempest lay on so heavy, that all hope of being saved was taken away. Zebulun, however, doth dwell at the haven of the sea; he is a safe harbour to run into, when the billows of wrath from above, and floods of corruption from beneath, threaten destruction to the whole. Like Paul, I have suffered the loss of all things; the beautiful ship that was built for me to sail in, crew and all; but the storm has been overruled for good; it has driven me to take shelter in Christ, in such a way as I never did before. I

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