KINGSLAND.-The friends who constitute arge number sat down; after which, a public | meeting took place, having a two-fold object-- the Church and Congregation under the minisfirst, to congratulate Mr. Bowles on his second years' ministerial labours; secondly, to hear his statement of the dispute which led to his leaving 72, High Street, Poplar, and to answer the question, "Who is right at Poplar ?" Mr. Felton having taken the chair, Mr. F. Collins invoked the Lord's blessing. The Chairman briefly stated the nature of the meeting, and then called upon Mr. Bowles to give a concise account of the affair; at the same time promising the deacons, or any other person who might be present, that they should have a fair and impartial hearing, if they could gainsay ought Mr. Bowles might advance. Mr. Bowles then entered into a concise account of the various leadings of providence which brought him amongst the people, and the more prominent points of the unpleasant business which led to his separation. The Chairman, after a few remarks, principally expressive of his belief in the statement of Mr. Bowles, and that he was unjustly and unfeelingly dealt with, called upon any person who might be present to reply. After waiting five minutes, and no one coming forward, Mr. Messer rose and proposed the following resolution: "That this Meeting having listened to the vindicatory statement of Mr. Bowles, are perfectly satisfied he is worthy to be commended to the sympathy and kindness of the ministers and members of the Strict Baptist denomination." Mr. C. W. Banks seconded the resolution: which, being put to the Meeting, it was carried unanimously. Mr. Messer, in a brief speech, expressed his desire to see a Board of Ministers established, to which all disputes should be submitted, and whose decision should be binding; believing it would thereby obviate the unhappy exposure of these disputes before the eyes of opponents to Christianity, who are apt to point the finger of scorn, and say sarcastically, "See how these Christians love one another" Mr. Chivers warmly supported the resolution; expressing his sympathy with Mr. Bowles. Mr. Banks spoke to the resolution, desiring (if it was the Lord's will), to see all parties again re-united, calling upon Mr. Bowles to express publicly his forgiveness for the injury done to him. Mr. Banks said he had originated the question, being desirous Mr. Bowles should be set right with the Baptist churches: declared himself satisfied, and hoped the question would be considered as fairly consummated. Mr. Bowles rose with evident emotion, after the last speaker's request, solemnly declaring he had no vindictive feelings toward them; but, if spared to bow the knee that night in prayer before God, they should be remembered before him, for their well-being, &c. The Chairman-warmly commended Mr. Banks's request, and Mr. Bowles's reply, deeming the matter fairly settled; and hoped it would now find a grave. Mr. Felton, having to leave, Mr. Chislett was voted to the chair. Mr. Collins, Mr. W. H. Wells, Mr. Shipway, Mr. Bracher and Mr. Chislett, severally addressed the meeting in a Christian spirit. Mr. Searle, of Kingsland, expressed his entire approbation by signing WM. BRACHER. the resolution. try of Mr. J. P. Searle, are now zealously at work preparing to build a new chapel, to be called “Kingsland Tabernacle and Sunday Schools." A general Committee, Ladies' auxiliary, and Juvenile branch, have been formed; and as soon as the subscriptions are sufficiently advanced, the building is to be commenced. In all directions round London, mansions, villas, terraces, and spirit-palaces are being erected; we are thankful, therefore, that any effort should be made in any quarter to set up a house for the worship of our God. Believing our brother J. P. Searle to be a sincere, devoted, and honest christian minister, we heartily wish him God speed, with very many years of useful labour in the Lord's vineyard. We had good proof of the high esteem in which he was held at the fourth anniversary of his settlement as Pastor, which was commemorated on the 9th and 10th of October last. We have an interesting report of those meetings, but a small portion only can be here given. In that report Mr. Searle says "DEAR BROTHER.-I send you a brief account of the Lord's goodness shewn to one of the least in the service of the sanctuary, on the fourth commemoration of my pastoral labours. While on each annual return I have had to bless His name who has not only helped through the year, but crowned it with such tokens of his goodness, that has caused me to feel more and more persuaded that here I am set for the defence of the gospel, yet on no previous occasion has this solemn fact been so confirmed in my own soul, and in the feelings of the dear people of my charge, as on this night when we had a song, for a holy solemnity was kept.' That I still live in the affections of the people is proved by the efforts they have made, (far exceeding any previous year). I can truly say that my position was never more cheering than it is now, nor the prospects of the people more encouraging; nothing doubting but that God will establish and bless us as a little church of his right hand planting. No utterances of mine can convey what I feel of adoring thankfulness to that GOD whose work alone it is, or my fervent thanks to the many ministerial brethren for their kind services so generously given; nor the grateful sense I entertain of the kindness shewn in the augmented contributions of the friends for whom I labour; nor yet set forth the affection I bear towards the members of other churches who so numerously attended to hear in love of our welfare, and bid us God speed. It was the best and most crowded meeting, and the happiest anniversary we ever held within Jireh's walls. On Sabbath day, October 9th, in the afternoon, my esteemed brother Bloomfield preached a blessed discourse from Gal. vi. 14. The chapel was crowded to overflowing. On Monday, October 10th, we held our tea-meeting; 150 took tea. The public meeting commenced at quarter past six. Brother Tanner opened the meeting with prayer. I then rehearsed some proofs of the Lord's goodness in the conversion of sinners and the blessing of saints in the past year. Brother Chivers gave us an excellent address 20 LINES IN MEMORY OF MR. JAMES ARNOLD. from 1 Tim. i. 12, last clause, leaving solemn | applicants for membership. Thus it may be seen our pastor does not "run in vain, neither labour in vain." We have unbroken peace in our borders. Trowbridge. An interesting report of the services and a faithful view of the interior of Zion Chapel, on the last occasion of Mr. John Warburton's baptising, have been taken for the EARTHEN VESSEL; and will be given, we hope, in an early number. The history and present position of "Our British Baptist Churches". -the old and the young-the large and the small-will, under God, fasten home the conviction in many a breast, that (although we are "the sect everywhere spoken against"), "GOD is in the midst of us; we shall not be moved." "Jireh Chapel, Kingsland.” EBENEZER BAPTIST CHAPEL, Webb Street, Bermondsey New Road.-Dear Editor.-We, the minister and deacons of the above place, desire, through the Earthen Vessel, to erect an ebenezer to the praise of our covenant God for the displays of his goodness and grace toward us as a church, still proving that he is a promise-fulfilling God. The dear Lord is still at work in our midst, as many have come forward witnessing to the power attending the labours of our dear pastor, desiring to cast in their lot among us. On Thursday, Dec. 1, Mr. Chivers, baptised ten persons, six females and four males; some of whom are seals to his ministry, and souls for his hire. Brother Chivers delivered an appropriate discourse from these words, "Wash and be clean." It was a seasonable opportunity; we trust it will lead others to follow the example the Lord has set us. As a church we enjoy peace and unity; and we esteem it a great privilege to be thus united with his dear people, walking in the ordinances of his house "There our best friends, our kindred dwell, There God our Saviour reigns." May the Lord still go on to bless us, and add to us such as shall be everlastingly saved, and his dear name shall have the praise. W. STRINGER. EBENEZER CHAPEL, SHOREDITCH.-T. J. Messer, the pastor, immersed three believers here on Lord's-day, December 11, making seventeen persons he has immersed since his settlement at Ebenezer in August, 1851. One of the candidates on Lord's-day the 11th, had been amongst the independents many years. These three persons, and a young brother who had been baptised some time previously, were received into communion with the church at Ebenezer in the evening. We have two more LINES IN MEMORY OF MR. J. ARNOLD, LATE OF HULME, Who departed this life, Nov. 14, 1853, in the forty-ninth year of his age. He was a true believer in one eternal God, and the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, on lived and died in the full assurance of eternal memory at the request of his Widow and Son by ARNOLD, thy happy soul hath gone And see him face to face: Thy soul's array'd in robes of light, Through one eternal day. For he is ever bles'd: Let them press on the heavenly road, And they with him shall rest. From the long sleep of death: My eyes-can they refuse a tear ? Each other we shall know. THE ORDINATION OF MR. S. K. BLAND. CHARGE DELIVERED BY MR. G. MOYLE, OF CHESHUNT. In the afternoon, Mr. Joseph Hamblin, late Mr. George Moyle, of Peckham, delivered From 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25: “And the servant of These words were written by an inspired apostle, and must not therefore be considered as the words of man, but as they are, in truth, the words of God; to which we do well that we take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. I mention this, in order to shew the divine authority from which the message before us proceeds - an authority which claims our humble subjection, and commands our cheerful submission. It is becoming us, as the servants of God, to yield a ready obedience to him, and take his word, and not the word of man, as our rule in all things. Any departure from this, is a matter for deep humiliation before God; and a consciousness of our liability to err will constrain us all to ask for divine grace to enable us to serve God with fidelity and acceptance. I would just observe, my brother, at the outset, that I do not assume any authority over you in addressing you on the present occasion. We know of no official superiority among the servants of Jesus Christ; there are no such offices as arch-bishops, or archdeacons, authorised by the New Testament, in the church of God. You have already heard it repeated to-day, that One is your Master, and all ye are brethren. The place I occupy is by your particular request; and what I may have to say to you, will be said in love, and with that freedom with which one brother may speak to another at such a time. In the words of our text you will perceive, II. The qualification specified. And, hearts are right. Your office, then, is that of a servant of the Lord and it relates, not to a servant in a po : 21 If More litical sense, but to the sacred office of a gos- My medium of the law; or the gospel will appear conditional. Rather shew the law through the medium of the gospel; and then, as a covenant, it will appear fulfilled and magnified, by the doing and dying of the great Mediator. If you attempt to look at Mount Zion from Mount Sinai, the blackness, and darkness, and tempest will hide the cross from view. But if you look at Mount Sinai from Mount Zion, then the corruscations will appear glorious, and the thunder will be music. The gospel I take to be a revelation of the pure grace of God; and all the blessings thereof are freely bestowed upon us without money or price; and the law, a divine revelation of moral duties, by which I am taught the necessity of the gospel, and by which I am directed to make a right use of whatever property the Lord graciously gives me in the gospel; for we do not make void the law by faith, but establish and honour it. As a servant of the Lord, you are called a builder; for the church of God is compared to a temple; and this will remind you, that your work is, instrumentally, to set forth Christ, as the only sure foundation of a sinner's hope, and that the materials are spiritually-minded persons; and then to encourage them to repose their souls entirely upon him by faith; for other "foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ;" "and if any man build upon this foundation," &c. (See I Cor. iii. 11-14). Living souls united to Christ will abide the fiery test, when the wood, hay and stubble are burned up. You may, my brother, have some deep exercises in this work; your hopes may be disappointed, and your prospects beclouded; while you may exclaim, "Lord, who hath believed our report ?" But commit your way unto the Lord, and look to him for help to prosecute your sacred work with renewed vigour, and you will find, I doubt not, as I have found, that the gospel ministry, with all its cares, is a sweet and holy work. work, marvel not at it; since the apostle con- | teach people to look at the gospel through the fesses that he was not sufficient to think anything of himself, and exclaims, "Who is sufficient for these things ?" His great source of encouragement was, that his sufficiency was of God. In Christ, my brother, are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and as he has, I believe, called you into his service, he stands pledged to bear all your charges; consequently, you have the sacred privilege to go to him at all times, for whatever supplies you need to enable you to do your work. Servants, you know, are expected to look to their masters for the supplies which are needful to carry on their work; and Christ once said to a needy servant, once for all, "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." O, there is a boundless store of grace in Christ. He is full of grace and full of truth. "Yea, in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-Head bodily." Your name, as the servant of the Lord, will remind you of your sacred work and service, which goes under various names. You are called a pastor, or shepherd; and your business is to feed the flock or church of God. Living souls will hunger and thirst after righteousness, and they will need feeding with the pure and wholesome truths of the everlasting gospel, which I hope you will always set before them in rich abundance, that they may feed thereon and grow; "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." I was once told of a good man, who considered that the main object of his ministry was the conversion of sinners; thinking, when they were once called, they were safe enough; but I said to the person that told me, "Did you think it enough when your children were born? Did they not want feeding, instruction and clothing?" O yes; there is much to be done in this way. If the church with which you are united should increase and multiply-and I pray it may, with the increase of God-they will require feeding. May you aim at both these things, my brother: the conversion of sinners, and the feeding of those who are converted. You are called an ambassador; this office will bring you frequently into the presence of your royal Master, to receive your message from his lips for the people of your charge. Your work is not to make a message of your own, but faithfully to deliver it. Preach the preaching which the Lord bids you; and in order to do so happily, you must be frequent in your visits to the eternal throne, that you may receive your messages fresh from the Lord. We want no new gospel; but for myself, I feel that I do want the old gospel opened up afresh, and afresh, by the Spirit of God to my mind, so that a freshness may attend my ministrations to the people. A faithful ambassador is health; and I believe that faithfulness to God and truth will promote both the health of your own soul, and that of the people's. Proclaim, my brother, without fear, the whole counsel of God, whether men will hear or forbear; and then, as the apostle speaks, "you will be pure from the blood of all men." Endeavour to put things in their proper place; do not mix up law and gospel together, or there will be a confusion; nor You are also called a steward, and you know that it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful, and in proportion to the value of the property entrusted to his care, so is the weight of his responsibility. You are a steward of the mysteries of God, and therefore your responsibility is weighty indeed. May you be enabled by the Spirit of God, to bring out of your master's treasury: things new and old, with fidelity and affection, that there may be a portion for seven and also for eight: that is, a suitable portion for all classes of persons that may come under your ministry. Allow me affectionately to remind you that you are called to watch for souls as those that must give an account. But you are not accountable for what do not belong to you, or for what you never had committed to your trust: you are not accountable for the success of your ministry, nor for a large congregation; "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God alone can give the increase." The man with one talent, was not accountable for two; nor was he with two, accountable for five; but each one was accountable for the number of talents committed to his trust; so it is with you, my brother, you are accountable to God for the outlay of the time, the gifts, and property TO MR. S. K. BLAND. which God has committed to your trust. May you ever be found faithful, and then at the close of your labor, hear the voice of your Master saying unto you, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." II. I shall next invite your attention to the qualifications specified in the text. "The servant of the Lord must not strive." Yet in some sense you must strive-you must strive to preach the Lord Jesus Christ to the people as the All in All; for in this way we find the apostle striving; "Whom we preach," he says, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, &c. Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working which worketh in me mightily." Col. i. 28, 29. And he exhorts, or entreats, the members of the church at Philippi in general to strive together for the faith of the gospel. Now these are holy and lawful strivings, which sooner or later will end in the possession of the crown. But the striving prohibited in our text is a mere strife of words about foolish and unlearned, or unprofitable, questions questions that do not profit the soul, promote spirituality of mind, and a practical knowledge of the word of God. May you avoid this sort of striving, my brother, always endeavouring to preach the gospel of the grace of God in the spirit of LOVE. God is love, and the gospel is a reflection of him; and as it is brought to bear upon our souls, it has an overcoming power and a transforming influence. Some time ago I visited the ragged school at Peckham, when the venerable Dr. Collyer occupied the chair. Pointing to the scholars he said, "I have been among them, and spoken to them all, with which they were much pleased. O sir, there is nothing like love to gain access to the heart." This is, no doubt, true; for as strife and contention will stir up strife and contention, so love will provoke to love and good feeling. The apostle says furthermore, "Be gentle unto all men." At the same time I pray you may be bold in your Master's cause, firm and decided in your attachment to truth, and by no means be pusillanimous in the proclamation of those truths which you have professed to-day in the name of the Lord. Gentleness I take to be a kind and peaceable disposition; endeavour to shew a kind and peaceable disposition, with a firmness and boldness in your dealings with all men. It is the disposition which a nurse requires in the training of children, as the apostle expresses it, "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." You know what it is to be a teacher in a Sunday school as well as myself. I could always get on best with the children by kind and gentle means. The same principle holds good in relation to men and women, for they are but children of a greater growth. You may meet with unkindness from persons which you never expected; but if the Lord shall enable you with gentleness of disposition to render them good for evil, you will be the gainer in your own soul, and be most likely to do good to them. Allow me to relate a little incident in my own experience. A man to whom I had given some offence, because I would not do as he wished me at a church 23 meeting, met me some time after at a friend's house, and with clenched fist, said, "You shall remember it." My good brother," I said, "if you do me all the mischief you can, I will do you all the good I can; if you curse me, I will bless you, and we shall see who will be the gainer." He said no more, but he hung down his head and went away, and did me no harm at all as I know of. not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Be Another qualification is, 66 apt to teach." Preaching and teaching are leading branches of the gospel ministry, and the instrumentality which the Lord has appointed, and which he blesses to the salvation of them that believe. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." It is therefore said of a bishop that he must be apt to teach; teaching and preaching are his work and business. Now an aptness to teach I take to mean a readiness and willingness to unfold the mysteries of the gospel to the edification of others; and in order to this, my brother, you will be required to read and meditate on the word of God constantly, carefully, and prayerfully; you will need the Spirit of God as the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, for it is from him your gifts and your grace, your comfort and your success proceeds. I hope you will always come forth in dependance upon him; and then, although you may not be prepared to shine before your fellow men, you will be always ready at a minute's notice to show to poor sinners the way of salvation through Christ. Once more. The servant of the Lord must be patient. Patience is a very useful grace, my brother; and your work and position will call for the exercise of much patience. You will require it in instructing the ignorant; in dealing with those of a doubtful and perplexed mind; in bearing and forbearing with the tempers and dispositions of persons with whom you have to do; in a steady perseverance in well-doing through all difficulties; in waiting upon the Lord for the renewing of your strength; and in waiting, like the husbandman, to see the fruit of your labours. O, my brother, you have need of patience, that after you have done the will of the Lord, you may receive the promise. You have told us of your labours in Wales, and that for some considerable time after, you heard of no good effects thereof, but at last the fruit appeared. Does not this say, be patient and you shall receive the promised good? May the God of patience and consolation enable you so to do. Therefore, III. Observe the object you should keep in view. Our text says, "In meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, &c.' Men oppose themselves, and their own interest when they oppose the word of God, and the object in preaching the word of God, in christian meekness, is their deliverance and well being. Sin and error are the snares of the devil, by which men are bound and led captive by him at his will. Now, it is God's work to break these snares asunder and give liberty to the captive; by his spirit and grace he gives |