MEMOIR OF J. KELLEY.

Established Church, which she adhered to for
many years, unacquainted with the plan of
salvation as revealed in the Scriptures of un-
erring truth; therefore, a stranger to vital
godliness, and continued in this state, with-
out any evidence of a change of heart, until
the year 1833, at which due time the Lord
was pleased to visit her soul in a way of
special mercy, and brought her to a happy
acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus.
A few years previous, some of the more en-
lightened people of the village availed them-
selves of the opportunity of going out to hear
the word preached in the neighbouring
parishes-not only attending at an Establish-
ment, where they might be privileged, by a
journey of four or five miles, to sit under the
ministry of the late Mr. Berridge, and Mr.
Venn but also to attend at the Baptist
chapel. This created a spirit of dissent in
the breasts of many, which increased, and ul-
timately led to the erection of a place of
worship in Elsworth, and the foundation of
the present Particular Baptist chapel and
cause, which the Lord hath greatly blessed.
Here our departed and esteemed friend,
owing to God's councils and love, was by the
ministry of the gospel convinced of her sinner-
ship; and, although before, she had lived a
moral life, and possessed a very amiable dis-
position, she was at length taught to know,
that "by the works of the law can no flesh
living be justified." The blessing of the
Lord was revealed to her soul in an experi-
mental manner, in the fulness and freeness of
God's eternal salvation. Here was her soul
enabled to find peace and joy in believing.
During the time she had allotted her on earth,
she was constrained to give sufficient proof of
her obedience as a believer in Christ, by her
industry, and by her hospitality, she reflected
honour on that cause which she so heartily
espoused. The poor members, and others,
found her a constantly kind, considerate, and
generous friend. They were allowed, with a
free welcome, to have access to her; when
bowed down, under various circumstances,
she cheerfully listened to, and relieved them.
She never seemed more in her element-more
happy than when visiting the humble
dwelling of the needy, assisting in illness, in
want, and in death."
Their prayers and
blessings attended her down to the close of
her earthly career; and their tears, and the
tears of those whom she was so much beloved
by when living in that social circle, followed
her to the grave.
She found no place for
self-boasting, no wish to glory, save in the
cross of Christ.
Her hopes were founded
on the efficacy of the atonement, as every way
suited to a poor sinner's salvation. The par-
doning love of Christ was a felt reality, from
which she derived at times much comfort;
and on this she was enabled to rest her hopes,
for time and for eternity.

She was blessed with a sense of her own unworthiness; of gratitude, of obligation to her divine Lord, for the great work he had done for her. She loved the habitation of his house, and the communion of the people of God. The simple, unadorned language that escaped the lips of the sincere believer,

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was listened to with peculiar pleasure. She was the subject of many fears. Sin was her great grief, and she longed for that better country as a home of rest, of peace and joy. The writer has heard her say, she thought and felt the blessing to be too great to be bestowed upon such an unworthy creature, and that it was all of grace.

The last illness was short and unexpected. She was enabled to converse but little; but a sweet calm rested on her brow as her departure was at hand; and thus she fell asleep in Jesus.

Her body was interred in the burial ground adjoining the Baptist chapel; a crowded audience attended, and an address was delivered J. S. on the occasion.

Waterbeach.

CONVERSION AND DEATH OF A ROMAN

CATHOLIC AT BRENTFORD.

JAMES KELLEY, the subject of this memoir, was born at Harlow's Cross, in Ireland, in 1785, of Roman Catholic parents; and was brought up in all the superstition of that corrupt church. When very young he had a situation to attend on the priest, ring the bell, sprinkle holy water, throw about the incense, hold up the robes, and various things beside. When he was fourteen years of age he went to sea, and continued in the service nearly twelve years. At length the ship in which he served was wrecked near the shores of Norway, and in this situation the crew was partly in water three days and a half; and his limbs were so chilled, that he had a wound in one leg till within three months of his death. The crew was picked up by a sloop, and their lives spared. After this he was discharged without a pension, and came to England, and got his living by carrying about a basket. In travelling he met with his wife, who now survives him, at Newbury, in Berks; and they both travelled about for years. He then settled at Storlbridge, in Dorsetshire, and attended a Roman Catholic chapel, about three miles from that place; but a heavy shower of rain falling one Sunday morning, his wife persuaded him to go to an Independent chapel near their house, and she went with him. Before they got to the meeting-house he hesitated, and would have gone back but for his wife. At length he ventured in, and, for the first time in his life, heard the word of God read-a thing quite strange to him. The minister went to prayer; and at length took these words for his text, "The blood of sprinkling." He looked round, expecting to see the blood sprinkled as he had been used to throw the holy water; but being disappointed, he waited to hear about the blood. He felt a conviction that he had followed a delusion all his days, and made a solemn resolve before God he would never enter a Roman Catholic chapel again, which vow he never broke. Deep conviction seized him, as he found the law made claims he could not pay.

Soon after this the priest paid him a visit to inquire the reason for his non-attendance; and when Kelly informed him the real cause, his reply was, that they should soon gain power in England, and that he should be the first victim. But none of these things moved him. He attended the word preached with an intolerable load of guilt upon him.

But going out one day

with his basket, he had to cross some fields, when these words arrested him, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." He looked round to see where the voice came from; but seeing no one, he hastened over a stile into another field where a barn stood, into which he went, and falling on his knees, poured out his full soul to God. He felt such a sense of pardoning love and nearness to God through the blood of atonement as hardly to know whether he was in the body or out of it. When he arose, he found he had attracted the notice of the parson and squire, who were out shooting, who began to make sport of him but he left them, and went on his way rejoicing.

be offered up for him, stating at the same time, you are so deaf you cannot hear it," he emphatically said, "The Lord can, and will."

The disease making rapid progress, it was certain the tabernacle must soon be taken down. The whole of Tuesday night he was very restless in body, but the subject of redemption filled his soul; for when the pain in any measure abated, he would again begin to speak of Christ as the Redeemer, and of the completeness of the work he had effected by his most precious blood; and then with great warmth said, "I am one of the REDEEMED." To a brother, the morning he died, he said, "I feel that the carnal mind is enmity against God, to the very last ;" and he then pressed the subject of redemption, which had so filled his own soul, to his wife and brother -"See (said he) that you are interested in this."

Shortly after he fell asleep; and on Sunday, April 9th, devout men carried him to the grave, in the burying-ground adjoining the Baptist chapel, where his remains were deposited, in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection to eternal life.

THE LATE WM. GALE, OF HOLLOWAY. DEAR MR. EDITOR.-Knowing there are many that read your valuable periodical who would be pleased to hear some account of the gracious dealings of our covenant God towards my dear departed brother in the Lord, Mr. William Gale, late of Holloway, I take up my pen to relate a little of what passed between the departed and I during his life and last illness. I had wished that some one more able than myself would have done so.

Soon after this, he removed to Storminster Newton; and his leg being very bad, he was persuaded to go to London in hopes of getting into an hospital. He started in a road waggon, and got out of it at Brentford. He soon got an order, and left his wife till his return. When he came back he made up his mind to continue where he was, and joined the Wesleyan body in that town. His mind was in much bondage, but from a dream he had, he thought he should be taught the way of the Lord more perfectly. As he was going home one day from Turnham Green, he met Mr. Coles, Baptist minister of Old Brentford; he was struck with the thought (though he did not know him) that he was the man to be made a blessing to him. When he got into the town he gave a description of his person; and when he found he was a minister, he made up his mind to hear him, which he did. The sound was new to him-free grace was liberty, whereas free-will had been bondage. He attended once a day for some time; but Mr. Coles being invited to preach to the Sunday schools in Brentford at the Wesleyan chapel. His subject was, "What think ye of Christ ?" This brought Kelly out completely, and also two females, who were all baptised, and joined the church. He stood an honourable member for three years, and was never known to be absent from any meeting during that time unless illness prevented. He had a peculiar gift in prayer, and at times got so near the throne that the hearts of the people burnt within them while they mutually enjoyed the presence of the Lord in his house. He was truly loved by the household of faith, and greatly missed when the Master said, "Come up higher; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." His last illness was short; he was taken for death at the prayer meeting, on Lord's-day morning, April 2, and died Wednesday 5, 1854. He was obliged to leave before the public service commenced, and went home. He continued getting worse the whole of the day, and on Monday he was considered in a dangerous state. On Tuesday our minister visited him, and found Our departed brother was not favoured with the him in great pain. His sufferings were so great rejoicings that some of the Lord's people have. that he compared them to knives darting through His mind was very much beclouded about leaving his body; but his mind was most blessedly sup- when I have visited them to see both of them clinghis dear wife. My heart has ached many a time ported with that truth the Holy Ghost had leding to each other, when I knew they must soon him to embrace with all his heart. He said,"This is a sharp conflict, but it will be short. O that I may have grace and patience to bear it! I never saw and felt myself such a poor, guilty sinner as I do now;" but added, "I am on the Rock; the Lord has a redeemed people, and I am one." This was expressed with much soul-feeling. On being asked if prayer should

The Lord called him by his grace when very young under the ministry of Mr. Flack, of Sutton, who, at that time, was living in the same house with him. My departed brother went to hear Mr. James Wells, by whom the Lord was pleased to set his soul at liberty. The first time he went to hear Mr. Wells they were singing the 97th hymn in their Selection. He told me that that hymn so suited his case that the sweetness of it he never forgot-he then felt he was a sinner saved by free grace. At the age of nineteen he was baptised by Mr. Wells; and continued for twelve years an honourable member of that church, when the Lord was pleased to take him from the church militant to join the church triumphant above, after suffering from consumption for four months, which he bare with great patience, as all that visited him can bear witness. I never heard him once complain of his sufferings. When his beloved partner has said, "You suffer very much, my dear," his reply In February, "Not so much as many do." was, 1853, the physicians ordered him to Ventnor for change of air; but at the expiration of five weeks, himself finding he got no better, but rather worse, and his partner returned home, disposed of their business, and went to Brompton, thinking that air might be beneficial to him. But the Lord ordered

it otherwise.

part. One day when I visited him, he told me Satan had been telling him he had been deluding himself, telling him he could not give his wife up to the Lord. He said with tears in his eyes, "I Lord ever gave a man a wife in answer to prayer, know we have made idols of each other; but if the he gave me my Julia; for one Lord's-day I was very much cast down, and I went to hear brother Flack, who was then speaking at a small room in

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141

my dear; and above all, he has given you his grace:

"And though our cup seems fill'd with gall,

There's something secret sweetens all." "Yes, (he said), I can say, my saddest hours I prize." He said very little the remainder of the day, but seemed much weaker, He went to bed as usual. His wife said to him, "You seem very ill, my dear." He said, "Yes, I cannot last long like this." She asked him how he felt in his mind. He said, "Sometimes I feel to doubt; but then something says, all shall be well at last." She then said, "You feel you can say,

"A few more rolling suns, at most,

Will land me on fair Canaan's coast," He replied, "Yes; but I wish we could give each It is hard to other up into the Lord's hands. part; but do not grieve; you will not be long

after me."

He dosed until about three in the

Holloway. He read Psalm xxxvii., and when he came to the fourth and fifth verses, they came with such power to my soul, that I went home rejoicing, feeling assured that all would be well." The Lord granted him his request, and they were united in August, 1851. I directed him to the word of God, where the Lord promises to be an husband to the widow. He said, "I know the Lord will take care of her, for he has guided her in all her ways; and I know he will not leave her now: but I want to feel and to say, 'The Lord's will be done." It is so hard for flesh and blood to part, for we have been happy indeed the few months we have lived together." He told me that a few months before his illness it was laid very much upon his mind that he should lose his dear partner. "Oh," he said, "the rebellion I felt was dreadful! Little thinking how soon! was to be taken away from her." I then left him, praying that the Lord would shine in upon their souls, and enable them both to say, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.' About a month before he died, he was very morning, when he took his medicine, and about much distressed in his mind, and all at once he half an hour after she saw a change, and went to burst into tears. His partner asking the reason, him and spoke, but he could not answer. he said, "Oh, I have a promise at last; the dear said, "If you know me, and are happy, press my Lord says he will come again and receive me to hand." He smiled at her, and clasped her hand himself." It was the 14th of John and the three in his, and died without a struggle or a groan, on first verses that came with power to his soul. the 24th of June, 1853. It is true, he has left no After that time he was more comfortable in his fatherless children, but he has left a weeping mind. He often used to express his gratitude to widow; and although she feels her loss is great, our brother Wells for coming so often to see him. yet may she remember she has a covenant God to He used to anticipate with great pleasure his visits go to. Yes, it is her loving Father that has caused -saying, "His visits are like his sermons used to the breach to be made, in order to fill it up with be to me. He generally says something that enthat which is more durable and lasting-even his courages me and gives me a little lift by the way. own self; and he has said, "Behold, I am with The last day he was upon earth he got down- thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou stairs as usual; and while sitting at breakfast said goest." May the Lord guide, direct, and protect to his dear partner, "Oh, how good the Lord has her, and fill every chasm; and although to all been to me there is not anything I want but what human appearance her natural strength is deI can have. I might have been in Brompton Hos-clining, may she feel that her spiritual strength is pital" (referring to a young man dying in there renewed day by day, is the prayer of your's, that had lived in his service). She replied, "Yes, Islington, May, 1854. WILLIAM P.

Our British Baptist Churches.

CHELMSFORD, ESSEX.

She

which before had shook the earth, again poured out another of those awe-striking, soul perplexing, world-convulsing, sin-confounding, satan-troubling "vials," which shook "not the earth only," that is, not the civil and ecclesiastical condition of the king

"the

CHELMSFORD-O! Chelmsford! how oft has the couch been wet with tears-bitter tearsat the division and distraction of thy churchdoms, states, and nations of the world, "only," and congregation! How oft has the pro- "but also the heaven:" by which I underphetic lamentation been taken up, "How stand is meant, the visible church of Christ doth the city sit solitary, that was full of which places its power in heaven; where a people! how is she become as a widow that "shaking" is also to take place. Mark xiii. was great among the nations! how tributary, 25. And the reason is obvious; as Paul says, that was as a prince among the provinces ""that there may be a removing of those Ah! the Baptist cause at Chelmsford was once looked up to as the Jerusalem church of the country; the hill Zion of Essex; the stronghold of all the Baptist churches in the eastern district. It may well, then, be asked, "How is the gold become dim-the most fine gold changed?" Well, "the mind that hath wisdom," will trace it all up to the sovereign purpose of Jehovah the Father, respecting the glory of his Son Christ Jesus in the "latter days,” (Ezekiel xxviii. 19 and 23), and thus be quick to observe that universal drunkenness of the world, and the churches called Christian, scattered abroad, in which all creation "groaned," as it staggered through the eventful years of 1847-8. When that "voice,"

things that are shaken, as of things that are made; that those things which cannot be shaken, may remain." Heb. xii. 27. And the things that "cannot be shaken," are things of God" those done by God, in the invisible church of Christ. For this is that kingdom which "cannot be moved;" "The city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is GOD."

Now, the effect of this earth-quaking "woe," though serious to the militant church in its material position, was principally felt in the doomed kingdom of satan: the "seat of the beast" being more violently shook than any other; and the consequence was, that in the anguish of the gnawing of his tongue for

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pain, he gave another (perhaps his last)* throw at the power of Christ, both in the church as Zion's King, and in the world as Lord of all. And thus I believe the late commotions and calamities with which this earth has been visited, the wars and aggressions, the blights, pestilences and panics, the social, political and religious revolutions, are all consequent upon the prophetic final shakings; whilst the seducing and separating influence of satan exercised in and upon the churches of Christ, must be viewed also in relation to the great question affecting the end of time; seeing that the judgment of the "latter days," "must "begin at the house of God."

Thus I have observed that the very same spirit and policy that has marked the proceed-wards the people in a way of sympathy, but ings of Europe's autocrats, emperors, petty kings, and paltry dukes, in their domineering, crushing and persecuting practices, has been rampant also in our British Baptist churches," where "Diotrophes" has as successfully done his work of spoliation, as any despot has in the earth and the world.

OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES.