144 RECOGNITION OF MR. BRACHER. pastor of the baptist church, Redbourn, to come and form us into a church. Mr. Searle preached a very suitable discourse from Acts xx. 28, "Feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood;" noticing, first "the church;" secondly, the exhortation, "Feed the church of God;" thirdly, the purchase. In the course of which, he gave us some very wholesome advice; expressing his approbation of the steps we had taken; and remarking the different feelings he had now towards us to those he once had, wishing us every gospel blessing and comfort, prosperity and peace. The sermon ended, brother Figg called upon H. Hutchinson to state what doctrines this church was founded upon. In answer to which, he read a form of creed we had agreed to between us, in substance the same as that of Dr. Gill. Brother Figg then asked the six friends to join hands; which being done, he then solemnly, impressively, and affectionately pronounced us one church. Then brother Figg administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to the church and also to friends from other churches. Thus ended one of the most delightful meetings in Bedmont. May the Lord enable us never to forget it. I am your's truly in the Lord, H. HUTCHINSON. RECOGNITION OF MR. WM. BRACHER. THE public recognition of Mr. Bracher as pastor of Zoar Baptist Chapel, Hounslow, took place on Tuesday, April 25, 1854. A hymn having been sung, Mr. Chislett commenced the devotional exercises of the day by reading, and prayer. Mr. Wm. Allen, of Stepney, in his usually quaint but interesting manner, delivered an address on the nature and constitution of a gospel church. and our numbers increasing-when the enemy began to oppose by stirring up the landlord of the house to forbid preaching there. But the Lord appeared for our help, and we were enabled to hire a carpenter's shop, which was at once fitted for our reception; and on Lord's-day, July 1, five persons, members of other churches, gave to each other the right hand of fellowship, and were publicly formed into a gospel church by Mr. Gardner, and the following month five others were added to the number. From that time the pulpit was supplied by various ministers, with occasional additions to the church, till the close of the year; when Mr. G. Atkins was invited to occupy the pulpit, which he did for about six months, the Lord prospering his ministrations, and five more were added to us. After his removal by Providence, the pulpit was again supplied by itinerants; but few of whom being heard acceptably, the church lapsed into a discontented and lukewarm state. But the hearts of some were stirred to cry to the Lord that he would send us a man after his own heart, who, as an under-shepherd, should be instrumental in leading us into the green pastures of his word. hoping, Mr. Wm. Bracher was recommended to After (to us) a long time waiting, crying, and us, who, after occupying the pulpit for several unanimous consent of the church to preach to Lord's-days was, in April, 1852, invited by the time he was invited for a further term of six us for three months; at the expiration of which months, and again for twelve months. After which, at a church meeting held Oct. 2, 1853, the church, with but one dissentient, agreed to invite him to the pastorate. Mr. Chislett asked the usual questions; and first called upon the church to give some statement of the Lord's manner of leading them to briefly to lay before you a few details of our conThus, dear brethren, we have endeavoured the choice of Mr. Bracher as their pastor. Innexion with our dear brother. That it was the reply to which, one of the deacons read the following paper : DEAR BRETHREN.-In placing before you a statement of what we believe to be the Lord's hand in uniting us together as a church much might be said, but will give only a short outline. We believe the triune Jehovah did in eternity engage in covenant on behalf of the church of Christ that, (as a means for the calling and making manifest of some, the feeding and establishing of others of the members of that mystic body), a cause of truth should be established in Hounslow. And to this end, when the fulness of time was come, did, by the secret, mysterious, yet almighty operations of the Holy Spirit, influence the hearts of a few (personally unknown to each other at the time) to desire the establishment of a church upon New Testament order and government in this locality; and eventually by the same Divine influence brought those individuals toge ther, inclined, and assisted them to carry into effect that which they desired. Some who now are members of this church and congregation formerly worshipped with the people at Providence Chapel; but they being Independents, we could not, consistent with a good conscience, unite with them at their table: therefore it was resolved, with the Lord's help, a place should be opened upon Strict Baptist principles, Accordingly, on Lord's-day, June 10, 1849, nineteen persons met together in a shoemaker's shop, (gratuitously offered for the purpose) when Mr. Saddler preached to them. This continued for several Lord's-days-other ministers supplying Lord's doing we have no doubt from the signs which followed, as we have reasons to believe that he has been made instrumental in opening the eyes of some who were in nature's darkness, and in establishing others more firmly in the truth; and it is to his ministrations we owe, under the Divine blessing, the peace and prosperity we as a church enjoy. Seven have been lately added by baptism, and five from other churches, making our present number thirty-one. In conclusion, we feel it is but justice to our brother that we should publicly express our admiration and gratitude for the disinterested manner in which he has fulfilled to the present time the arduous duties devolved upon him-the more so, as we know that he has made pecuniary sacrifices to serve us. Our poverty alone precluding us from making him that remuneration his services deserve. May the Lord reward him. Mr. Bracher was then called upon to give some account of his Conversion to God, to which he replied somewhat as follows: Dear Brother: I would preface my reply by remarking, that to the best of my knowledge, or as far as I can remember, in my early days, I had no one to instruct me in the ways of religion, nor did I ever attend a Sunday School. I had none to pray for me; yet I do hope that I am interested in the prayers of one who has said, "I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me." It is seventeen years ago, I think, this month, I had been carrying on a bad course of things for some RECOGNITION OF MR. BRACHER. 145 Mr. Chislett then asked Mr. Bracher what were the reasons he had to believe that the Lord had sent him to preach the gospel. The following is the substance of Mr. B.'s reply. I think, as near as I can recollect, that the first thought that arrested my mind on this matter (although I had then no thought of preaching the gospel) was, to speak to those companions in wickedness with whom I had associated previous to my conversion. It is somewhere about twelve years ago that I was walking the Strand, (at this time I was much favoured with precious thoughts on Scripture), when these words were applied to my mind, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me." I tried to get rid of them; and said,"That means the Lord Jesus Christ;" but something said, "It is yourself." I used great arguments against it. This followed me for a year or more. I felt I had no aptness for speakingno door of utterance. For three months my life was a burden to me. Thoughts were continually flowing into my mind, yet there was no passage for them outwards. I really felt my own incapacity, for I could not speak hardly twenty words on any subject connectedly. In deep distress of mind on this account, I fell upon my knees, and begged of the Lord to direct me; and these words appeared to come in answer, "Go, preach the gospel." I argued as Moses did with the Lord; but as I argued against, so the Lord met me; time-I went out with two of my companions,, only." Under this discourse the Lord again met about three days before the circumstances occur- with me, and I felt strengthened and established in red to which I am about to relate. With them I the truth. In the autumn of that year, I was got intoxicated, and in returning home con- proposed as a member of the church; was bapscience made sad havoc. On the evening of the tised and admitted; and have cause to bless the third day, as we sat at tea, my eldest daughter Lord for sending me there. make use of an oath. I turned to my wife, and said, "Did you hear that ?-it ought not to be." My wife replied, "You set the child the example!" I felt what I never felt before. My wife had often reproved me. I thought, Truly I am going to hell, and leading my children there too. I knew not what to do; I knew there was a God, and that was all. I said, I'll reform; and away I went to work out my own salvation; but I knew not the way. The next Sabbath I went to chapel; but I could not understand what I heard. I read the Bible, but it was all new to me-and I said, I shall go to hell. I thought my sins were unpardonable. I tried to pray what an old woman had taught me; but when I said, "our Father," it stuck in my throat; and I thought he would be my Judge. I went to hear a Wesleyan minister, named Aitkins, who made many and great conversions in his way. He set me to work, and hard to work I went; but the more I tried, the more distressing became my situation. In this state of mind I knew not what to do; and I well remember one evening falling down on a truss of straw, exclaiming, "Lord, some say one thing, and some another; oh God, shew me which is the way!" I went to hear Mr. Aitkins, and he preached from these words, "Hath no man hired you?" It was all Do, and live; and I felt, I can come here no more-this is not the way. After this I heard a Mr. Goodspeed, but got no profit; but one even-yet there seemed no opening for me; and I must ing some one supplied for him. He preached from, "Unto you, therefore which believe he is precious." Under this discourse my soul was lifted up; and I thought, Surely I am one that believes; and I went home with my heart full. But alas! I soon lost all my comfort; for my past conduct flew back upon me, and condemned I feared to go to sleep, lest I should wake up in hell. I was a complete burden to myself. In my distress I shut myself up, and fell upon my knees, attempting to pray, when these words were whispered into my soul; from whence they came I could not tell, "I have blotted out thy sins." I jumped upon my feet, as though a voice had spoken to me, and from that time my burden was gone. I knew not what was the matter; and these words also came to my mind, "When the iniquity of Judah and Israel shall be sought for, it shall not be found." I tried to make myself miserable, but could not. For fourteen days I enjoyed the presence of God, and had communion with him. Temporal matters now went bad with me; I was stripped of all I possessed, and plunged into circumstances of misery; and darkness, and trouble of soul ensued. It was at this time I heard Mr. Moyle, who opened unto me some of those things of which I was entirely ignorant. After a short time I lost my comforts -all was dark and miserable; I thought I was deceived, or an hypocrite, and determined in my own mind never to go to chapel any more, but to go where I was not known, and never name the name of Christ. With a sort of a last-time feeling I went, and Mr. Moyle preached from the words, "I will go in the strength of the Lord God, making mention of his righteousness, and of his me. say, although I felt so much indisposed to become a preacher, yet there was at the bottom of my heart a desire to tell to sinners round What a dear Saviour I had found." There was one member in the church who had an idea that I was destined for a preacher-yet I had named my feelings to but one individual. There was to be a prayer-meeting held in one of the friend's houses; and I was invited to go and lead the meeting. I said, "No, there are elder brethren than I." But he replied, "No, you must come and talk to us." With much fear and trembling I went and spoke to the few assembled ; and continued for two years to preach in this room, without any apparent good; yet I have since heard of a young woman whose eyes were opened there; and of some who were comforted. In this way my ministry began. A person heard me there who invited me to preach at Bedmington Corner, where I went in heaviness, much cast down. I was also invited to go to Staines; and for the last five yeaas I have only spent two Lord's-days at home with my family. I have no wish to be idle; still have often said with David, "If he say, I have no delight in thee, behold, here I am-let him do to me what seemeth good to him." If I have been wrong in preaching, I feel if it were the Lord's will, I could set myself down as a humble hearer of the gospel; but still, I feel at this time, that as long as the Lord gives me a measure of strength, I shall continue to proclaim the gospel of Christ. I have also preached at Hartley Row, and at various places in London, but no one seemed disposed to have me entirely. I did not like itinerating. I was in one place once a month for six 146 LETTERS FROM THE WEST OF ENGLAND. the Lord directed me here. You have heard from the church how I came here. As far as my one note-one sound, which is, that the gospel takes up polluted sinners from the world, and places them among the sons of glory. attempts at preaching are concerned, I have but years; and there I have a daughter in the faith. | with the word of life?" Some few are settled I thought I should like to be over a few people down under Mr. Isbell; some under Mr. where we might dwell in peace; and I believe Bulteel; a large number, several hundreds are gathered together in Trinity, anxiously waiting for the Lord to send them a pastor after his own heart, ah, and for a thorough good man, whom God hath anointed to the work, and who could fearlessly open his own heart, faithfully enter into the deep and glorious mysteries of grace, and experimentally trace out the work and operation of the blessed Spirit in the hearts of the quickened travellers to Zion, for such a man there would be no small share of work. I believe if our precious Lord Jesus, and the Spirit of power, were to Mr. Bracher then made a confession of his faith, and the doctrines he intended to advocate. The members of the church present, publicly ratified their choice of Mr. Bracher, and the pastor held up his hand in token of acceptance; and Messrs. Moyle and Coles gave to the pastor and church the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Chislett concluded the morning service with prayer. In the afternoon Mr. Coles offered up the ordination prayer; and Mr. Moyle gave the charge to the pastor. In the evening Mr. James Wells preached to the church and congregation. Letters from the West of England. [WANT of room compels me to give but few notes from these parts in this number. Others are in store.-ED.] HOMEWARD-BOUND. "What Tuesday, May 2nd.—Took my farewell of the friends at Plymouth last evening, and early this morning left my quiet lodging, and am now looking for Bath, where a solemn office awaits me-even that of preaching, what is called a funeral sermon for the late William Cromwell. For a moment, this morning, as I was being carried through the streets of Plymouth, not knowing what might lay before me-I said within myself, a merey it is that ministers die;" and I feel that the rest which remaineth must be sweet indeed. A word or two about Plymouth before I quite pass from it. The people of God in those three towns, (I mean Devonport, Stonehouse, and Plymouth) are like a family of children bereft of their parents. If you go to Devonport, there are some of the spiritual children of such men as dear old John Wilkinson, Easterbrook, Cartwright, and others, who have been taken from them; and they feel and mourn their loss. If you come on to Stonehouse there are those who sat under Mr. Godden of the one part, and Mr. Webster of the other-and these are all gone; yea, I heard some speak of our old friend John Andrew Jones's ministry, when he was pastor of Ebenezer. When you mingle with the friends at Plymouth, not a few will speak gratefully of the good they received under the venerable Robert Hawker. (His church I visited last Saturday): Arthur Triggs, Gad Southall, Joseph Rudman, and other men who have stood here-have all left some sorrowing hearts, and they are looking about saying "Who will the Lord send to feed us go How with such a man into Trinity Chapel, Plymouth, he would reap a large harvest of living, longing, believing saints. These towns are not left without ministers of truth. No, God has his witnesses. In Plymouth there is Mr. Bulteel, with a chapel nearly as large as a castle; but half the place is empty: he is not the bold preacher, the decided man, the powerful exalter of Jesus Christ that he was in Oxford: perhaps he is as sound and as safe a minister of Christ as then, but the fire burneth not so bright, the life appears not so manifest, the power is not so great. strange it seems to a novice like myself, that these good men, when they first come out of the church of England, they seem to be like blazing meteors, but after a little while, the brightness of the light waxeth dim, and they become like one of us. I can tell you where you will find two steady labourers in Gospel Rowlands" as they call him, the now-settled truth in these parts: the one is "father friend" Westlake, of Pembroke Street, pastor of Ebenezer, Stonehouse, the other is honestly, and successfully working in corners Devonport ; both these good men are quietly, of the field; and I hope "the fire" will "go Ezekiel says; and then there will be a greater up and down among the living creatures" as in-gathering still. I attended a meeting of father Rowland's, and I preached in his pulpit the last Sunday afternoon I was in these parts. I was glad to find him surrounded with some working men. I must notice the upper meeting in Devonport, John Wilkinson's place, where our brethren Brewer and Foord now labour. I shall not soon forget Plymouth. I entered the place in peace, I have been permitted to labour there in peace, and I leave it this morning with the answer of a good conscience both toward God and toward man. And now if the Lord will be my friend, to Bath I will proceed. Č. W. B. William Cromwell, has been published at the request of the friends for the benefit of the widow. The Funeral Sermon preached for the late Mr. It is entitled, "The Joys and the Sorrows of a Pastor's Life." Your bookseller can procure it for you, it being published by Houlston and Stoneman, 65, Paternoster Row. Reviews. REVIEWS. The Living and Dying Memorials of a "Give me the wings of faith, to rise 147 The saints above, how great their joys, A LITTLE Volume, entitled, "The Field and In a previous number we have noticed the departure of Mrs. Bland; still, the closing scene is so powerfully and beautifully delineated by the bereaved husband at the close of this volume, that we must lay it before the many of our readers who, perhaps, may never be able to obtain the book itself. Those who can purchase this little memoir will find it a suitable present for young Christians. Speaking of her last illness, the Cheshunt pastor says: and then, seeing the family seated around, she wished read. Pausing a few moments, she looked at me with earnest meaning, and with wonderful sympathy replied, 'Let not YOUR heart be troubled.' It was her last word of Scripture exhortation. Oh! for divine help to obey and prove its value! I read the first four teen verses of that chapter; and if ever Bible words appeared good words, it was in that solemn hour. I then knelt down and poured out the desires of my poor tossed soul before the Lord; feeling an unspeakable awe upon my mind. Nowise aprehending, however, her immediate dissolution, I now bid her good night, nor can I "On the morning of the day before her disso-ever lose the memory of the quiet fervency of lution, a friend visited her, who had within a month previous parted with her partner, (a valued deacon of our church), and on her bidding farewell, she exclaimed, 'O, may I have so abundant an entrance as was granted to your dear husband.' "In the afternoon, a great struggle appeared to be going forward in her soul, as of a striving to give up the dear bonds of earth, and drop into a Saviour's arms. While, with peaceful thoughts she could follow the happy spirit of her sleeping babe, and calmly say, She is only gone a little while before her mother;' she could not but think of those left behind, and then, with all a mother's love the words broke forth, Oh, it is my ties, it is my children.' "Now, also, her cough, weakness, and obstruction of throat grew more distressing. After one of these paroxysms her mother observed to her, 'He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. His face was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.' 'Yes,' she replied, "I think of that,-did my Lord suffer, and shall I repine ?' and then, laying her hands upon her own wasted body, continued -'I can tell all my bones.'-Psa. xxii. 17. "When I returned home in the evening, I found all the painful symptoms aggravated, and constant perspirations wasting her little remnant of strength. I sat by her side for about two hours, wiping the moisture from her face, as it stood out in a thick cold shower, and, as her strength and my full heart allowed, holding sweet though mournful converse of the world to come. During this time she evidently felt her span of life contracting, but quietness and assurance possessed her soul. After some pause I heard her whisper the words, 'wings wings,' then breathing heavily, she repeated the whole verse, her good night, love,' as she followed me with her eyes to the door. This was about midnight, and the next hour I spent in solitary musing and saddened thoughts, still relieved with the conviction that nothing was too hard for the Lord. "Soon after four o'clock in the morning, I was awakened from a confused slumber, and was hurried into her room. "Surely my heart alone knew its own bitterness as I gazed upon that precious form, speechless, and unconscious, breathing hardly and slowly. "I rushed to her side, lifted her hand, called her by every endeared name; but, alas! no sign, no answer; only that heavy, struggling breath, growing more sluggish every moment. "But I draw a veil over the incoherent wildness of my surprised grief, at that fearful hour of trial. This fell upon me indeed, as a new calamity: that the parting was come, and must be in SILENCE. I sobbed aloud, and groaned in unspeakable anguish, 'Oh Lord, thy hand is heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into drought.' "Recalling my thoughts, I remembered this was not giving glory to God, and again I poured out a prayer, 'Oh Lord, I would say, Thy will be done.' "The struggle was now evidently drawing to a close, and at length the emancipated spirit quitted its tenement of clay. But the moment none could determine, so calmly did the earthly pilgrim pass away to the heavenly home. "For a while nature had its way; I fell upon the bed and wept BITTERLY; but grace-almighty grace-prevailed; while a sweet consciousness of the presence of one undying Friend, hushed the tempest, and constrained me to cry aloud, The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away, and I will now say, blessed be the name of the Lord.'" A SERMON bearing this title is before us. It was "preached at Zoar Chapel, Gravesend, on Lord's-day morning, March the 12th, by THOMAS STRINGER, minister of the gospel;" and has been published by request. duty of preaching and teaching by lip and life, to young and old, the Lord Jesus; the certain efficiency and truthfulness of this service, beneath the gracious dew of heaven; (the showers that water the earth), were ably and clearly proved by the preacher. On reading it, the thought struck_us,- On Monday afternoon, the schools were "Our brother Thomas seems to be in a happy again assembled; and after an examination, state of mind; his soul is evidently feeding and an address by Mr. Bland, buns were dison, and rejoicing in, the greatness, the rich-tributed among the children. The teachers ness, the fulness, and the preciousness of the then took tea together, and with a short meetperson, the work, and the kingdom of our ing of cheerful conference, and mutual counLord Jesus Christ." As we read on, we sel and encouragement, the services closed, fancied we could both see and hear this bold leaving a sweet savour upon the minds of and noble minister rapidly detailing the mys- those engaged, of the preciousness of being teries and the mercies of a once crucified but unitedly employed in the work of so gracious now risen Redeemer. There is a cheerful and loving a Master. J. E. PERRIN. effort in this discourse to carry up the minds of the Lord's people to the Prince of Peace that cannot fail of doing good. In speaking of the extent of the atonement, the preacher has manifested much clearness and decision. We heartily wish him God-speed, great growth in heavenly knowledge, and a long life of usefulness in the gospel vineyard. most fervent. After the usual morning service, the chapel was crowded with the schools and congregation. The hymns appointed were sung with spirit and tune by the children, who were then addressed by Mr. Bland from the words in Matt. xxi. 15-" Hosanna to the Son of David!" Mr. Bland very clearly and simply spoke of the ancient promise of the coming Messiah -the people's waiting for the consolation of Israel-the ill-tempered, snarling Phariseesthe ordained and approved shout of the babes and sucklings, and the solemn reproof to the hinderers by Him who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." In the evening Mr. Bland preached to the parents and teachers; taking for a text the resolution of Asaph-Psalm Ixxviii. 4-"We will not hide the words of thy mouth from their children; shewing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done." The wise and perfect plan of the Lord in making known his will, and the knowledge of himself by the instrumentality of those that know him; the united privilege and LITTLE KEDDINGTON AGAIN.-Some of our readers will recollect we have before referred to this little garden of the Lord in an obscure corner on the borders of Essex. It has done our hearts good to read the following from honest John. The anniversary is fixed for June 15th. We hope there to have another happy day, and to see the courts of the Master's house, crowded with sinners waiting to hear the Saviour's voice. Our brother John says "In proof that the ordinance of believers' baptism (as set forth in the oracles of truth,) that he will own and bless the same to the are not obsolete with the King of Zion, and good of his people, on April the 3rd, (at the baptising here) the Lord was graciously pleased to seal instruction on the hearts of three persons, and they were constrained to say, 'we will go with you, seeing God is with you." One brother was called under the ministry of our pastor seven years' since, when he was speaking in a neighbouring village; another, a sister, that has been a seeker of the Lord for thirty-three years, for the most part very sorrowful, but at last was constrained publicly to acknowledge her Lord and Master; the third, the husband of that good woman the account of whose triumphant death was given in the EARTHEN VESSEL for May, 1852, page 109. These humble souls, after giving a statement of the work of grace in their souls, were baptised on Lord's-day, May 7th, in the presence of a large assembly of people, who were attentive. Our pastor, (brother Powell,) spoke afterwards at the chapel, standing against the door, morning from Zech. x. 12; afternoon It was a solemn and a from Jer. xxxi. 17. happy day to pastor and people. May the Lord bless Zion at large with many such is the desire of your's in him, Woodland Green. JNO. DILLISTONE. HOLLOWAY.-The second anniversary of Mr. Charles Shipway's pastorate at John Street Chapel, Upper Holloway, was commemorated on Monday, May 15th. A happy and profitable Meeting-brethren Bowles, Chivers, Wells and Banks addressed the crowded Auditory on given subjects. The little garden here is growing and looking well; and the statements made with reference to brother Shipway's usefulness, and the gradual progression of the cause were encouraging. |