DEATH OF W. WHITE. what Thou owest;" or, "The soul that sinneth it shall die."-I say, when this is laid upon the Conscience, what a water-flood is here! and here is no loop-hole to creep through; the soul is bankrupt-nothing to pay; fearing eternal imprisonment. No wonder if he is brought to cry out feelingly, earnestly, and experimentally, "God of my life, to Thee I call; Afflicted at thy feet I fall; While the great water-floods prevail, Leave not my trembling heart to fail." But let us rejoice! So sure as this is the case, so sure does a bright ray of light and hope dawn from the heavenly horizon, which shall shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day of deliverance comes; and like the apostle, he shall triumphantly meet the requirements of the Law, by sinking into nothing in self, and taking refuge alone in Him who is the "End of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (See Romans x. 4). And then we shall not be surprised if we find him upon the mount of Divine enjoyment, as David was. (See Psalm xxxii. 6, 7. But, although thus favoured and blessed, yet it often happens that this sun of enjoyn.ent, shines but for a short time; the believer has to come down from the mountain-not from his standing in Christ; for that, blessed be God! is everlastingly secure-but in his soul's feeling and comfort; other waves and waterfloods come rolling in; and should the Divine presence be for a time withdrawn, we find him, David-like, crying out, "I sink in deep waters," &c., lxix. 1, 2. The next water-flood I would notice, is one that every believer is brought sooner or later to be acquainted with by sad experience of soul before God; I allude to the rising floods of imbred corruptions in his own heart. Enlightened in his mind by the Spirit of God, when he leads the soul by experience into the chambers of imagery, and comes with the guage and the probe what floods of vile corruptions appear! Enough, indeed, to overflow the soul, or swallow it up, was it not for secret sustaining grace. No wonder poor Mr. Hart, having been here, sings, but in sad and mournful strains, "None less than God's eternal Son, Can move such loads of sin; The water from his side must run, To wash the dungeon clean." But God has a sweet promise for a soul in such a case as this; and in his time it shall be his own in enjoyment. (See Ezekiel xxxvi. 25-28). But I had almost forgotten your space is limited; I will therefore leave the remaining part of the subject until another opportunity. In the meantime, I pray God to abundantly bless you, in pointing out to sinners both the disease and the glorious remedy. So prays, yours in Christ, BRADLEY. The choice must begin somewhere, and the Lord Jesus has told us where, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT, TO THE 249 MEMORY OF WALTER WHITE, DIED, at Leeds, on the 13th of September, 1854, WALTER WHITE, a subject of deep trials whilst passing through this wilderness, yet one that always loved to be in close communion with God, his delight was to meditate on the Covenant of God, made with a poor sinful worm and ratified with blood. Often have I heard the true disciples of Jesus (for there are some of the precious and hidden sons and daughters of Zion at Leeds), exclaim how they have been delighted when he has been called upon to engage in prayer. He was born in the same year as our brother Allen, of the Cave, viz., May 16th, 1788; and having died the same year seems rather remarkable. During his early days, I know but little of his history. At the age of twelve or thirteen years he went to sea; was shipwrecked twice; the last time of which was during the war with France, and on that Coast he was wrecked and taken prisoner, where he was kept eight years and a half; from the 14th to the 25th, he was marching through the country, and on the latter day, with nothing the whole day but a crust of dry bread and a little snow, (and with very little apparel,) which he picked off the ground as he marched into Valenciennes Prison; during the time he and his companions were there, they used to meet of a Sabbath to worship God in the Prison; and there the Lord met him, (like the Jailor of old,) as one of the brethren were engaged in prayer; he addressed the Lord Jehovah as the Omnipresent God, which was blessed to his soul; "Is God and the language of his heart was, really here in Prison ?" and many times have they had sweet communion-with God, whilst surrounded with high walls, bolts, and bars. After he returned to England, he sought a place where he could be fed with living bread; and was led to join the church in Carter Lane, Southwark, then under the care of Dr. Rippon; and was baptized by him about the year 1814; and was firm in the faith to the last; he was removed in the order of Divine Providence to Leeds, about 1833, where he joined the church at South Parade, and spent the remainder of his days. On the week preceding his death, the Lord impressed upon my mind that I should go to Leeds, and spend a day or two with him; which I little thought would be the last time I should see him, though I knew I should never spend any length of time with him. On the Wednesday preceding his death, in a most affectionate manner, he said, "Good bye, think of me when it shall be well with thee;" and on the night of his death, I prayed for him, having a sweetness and nearness to my Father and my God, when his happy spirit had taken its flight to the haven of rest. Truly we mourn our loss; but our loss is his gain. In haste, dear brother in the Lord, GIDEON WHITE. 250 AN ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF L. R. SMITH. DEATH OF LAWRENCE R. SMITH, WHO DIED OCTOBER 3, 1854. and pray for you; will you pray too?" He and I will give them rest; ‘abide in me and that were uttered, I will put the questions For the sake of giving the exact words and answers that ensued, precisely as they transpired, and were recorded at the time :Question.-"Do you know what is meant by the rest mentioned ?" Answer.-"Oh! yes! to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." THE family circle of which the subject of these remarks formed a part, consisted of the parents and four children, Lawrence being the youngest son. His disposition was very affectionate, and remarkable taciturn; nor does it appear that he had ever manifested any sense of the importance of vital religion; he was constant in his attendance at the Sunday School, and frequently went with his parents to the Surrey Tabernacle; but on no occasion did he make any remark which could lead to the idea that any serious impression had Suffer little children to come unto me,' been made upon his mind. Naturally reserved upon all topics, he seemed particularly so upon matters of religion; and although his parents frequently mentioned this subject, and constantly presented their children at the footstool of mercy, the idea that a work of grace was begun in his heart never for a moment entered their minds. His constitution was remarkably robust, and until within a month of his decease, he appeared to enjoy uninterrupted health. From that time, however, he became weaker, and lost much of that bloom of health by which he was distinguished in the family; still no apprehensions were entertained of any fatal termination, until a few days before his death. He had not himself the least idea of his danger; and it was only on the morning preceeding his dissolution that any one around him thought for a moment that "the time of his departure was at hand." During the night he for the first time suffered considerable pain; but towards the morning it was entirely gone; a medical man had however been sent for at an early hour, and when he arrived, he at once pronounced the case to be hopeless, adding his conviction, that a few hours would terminate his earthly career. This intelligence, rather abruptly communicated, was truly overwhelming. His parents at first could scarcely credit the fact; and when they fully realized it, their anguish was almost insupportable. To lose a beloved child, they feel most deeply; but that he should be cut off thus suddenly, and without hope-this filled their soul with bitterness. For a time they were afraid to speak to their dying boy about the solemn concerns of eternity, lest their worst fears should be confirmed, and he should prove, as they fully expected, altogether ignorant of the way of salvation. With a bleeding heart his mother stood at his bedside, when he asked her, "what she was crying for." She said, "my dear Lorry, you are very ill, and the doctor does not think you will live long; but it is not this so much that makes me cry, though it will be hard to part with you; I am thinking what, will become of your precious soul. Its true you are very young, but still you are a sinner, and nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away your sins-will you try and pray?" He answered, "I cannot." "Well then (responded his mother,) I will try From this time, he seemed, as in a moment, to emerge from a child into a man; his former bashfulness entirely forsook him, and his tone and manner were altogether changed. Q.-"Are you aware that you are dying?" "Yes; I am sure I shall not live long." Q. "Are you not afraid to die ?" A.-"To die!-NO!-For I shall soon be in glory.' A. Q.Yes; but there's another place beside heaven, where some people will go when they die." A." But I shall not go there; I trust in the Lord Jesus Christ; and I hope when I die, I shall go and live with him." Q.-"Do you feel you are a sinner?" A. "Yes; and if it had not been for the grace of God, I should have sunk into hell." Q.-"When did you feel you were a sinner ?" A. "Oh don't think I have not thought of these things; I've thought of them for more than three months." Q.- "But what led you to think so?" A.-"I don't know! but when I was at play about three months ago, I felt I was a sinner." Q.-" And have you any hope of mercy now?" A. "The Lord Jesus Christ has pardoned my sins." Q.-"Why do you think so?" DEATH OF L. R SMITH. "What shall he pray for?" A. -"He knows very well what to pray for." Q.-"You have often heard him pray; have his prayers ever impressed you?" A.-"Yes-many times-they have been both impressive and precious to me.' After prayer had been offered on his behalf, his elder brother approached his bedside; he threw his arms immediately around his neck and looking at him steadfastly, he paused for a moment, and then said to him, "Edward, are you prepared to die?" When he had received an answer in the negative, he proceeded, "If you should live another week, do you think you should then be prepared to die? Oh, Edward, depend upon it, it is a solemn thing to die." Nor would he suffer his brother to remove from his embrace till he gave him a solemn promise that he also would seek the Lord Jesus Christ. His little sisters now approached him, but motioning with his hand for them to retire, he said, "no, I cannnot talk with these, they cannot understand me." Presently, however, as if reproaching himself, he took the eldest by the hand, saying, "I hope I shall see you in heaven; Edward must teach you the way. He was reminded of his brother's inability to give spiritual instruction; he replied, "yes but God can give him power to teach you." He now expressed a wish to speak with his father. On his coming he said, "pa, I want you to talk to me about glory." After doing so, they conversed together: Q. "Do you really think you are going to heaven?" A.-"Yes; I am quite sure of it." 251 A. "I fully believe in the Lord Jesus Christ." Q. "Do you love Jesus Christ ?" A.-"I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength." Q.-"You think then, that you are safe?" A.-"I am confident that I am safe, and am going to be with Jesus." Q.-"Your little brother has been there some years; and the angels, I trust, are waiting to receive your spirit.' A. "What a mercy that Satan's angels are not here to take me away." The weakness of the dying child was now rapidly increasing, and for some time he remained silent; at length he said, "Pa, have you a pen and ink?-I want to leave six commandments for Edward." He was requested to repeat them, which he did, as follows: "Keep your hands from picking and stealing. Remember the Sabbath day. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Thou shalt not commit adultery." He could remember no further, but requested his name might be put underneath these. Life was now ebbing apace; his voice began to fail;-he felt a difficulty of utterance, and excused his silence, by saying, "I must save a little breath for the afternoon," (alluding to the expected visit of Mr. Wells, who almost immediately entered the room;) when he perceived his approach, his eyes sparkled with joy, he welcomed him with evident pleasure, and with a placid smile, raising himself as well as he was able, in order to speak with him. Mr. Wells conversed with him for some time concerning the state of his soul, the solemnities of a dying hour, and a judgment to come; and during this period, he clearly expressed his deep convictions of sin; the necessity he felt of being clothed in the righteousness, and washed in the blood of Jesus; and, again, with marked emphasis, reiterated his unclouded assurance of perfect safety, making it manifest to all present, that though his language was that, of a child, his experience was evidently the work of the Holy Spirit; and such as many a veteran saint would envy. Finding that nature was nearly exhausted, Mr. Wells engaged for some time in prayer, or rather in thanksgiving, for what he had witnessed; and on taking his departure, expressed his full persuasion that none but a Divine Teacher could possibly have imparted such instruction; and congratulating his parents on the high honor the Lord has confered upon them, in thus making the son an "heir of salvation." The shadows of death now rapidly became deeper and deeper; and it became evident that the closing scene was near at hand. Yet the sufferer remained perfectly calm and conscious. His voice had nearly failed him; and though he often endeavored to make known his feelings, he was seldom successful. At one time, his eyes appeared fixing upon some object, which completely absorbed his attention. On making the enquiry, what he was gazing at? He smiled, and said, "I see a river 252 MR. ROBERTS AND THE CHINESE MISSION. but the remainder of the sentence was inaudible. During the few hours that elapsed before his departure, he was almost constantly engaged in prayer; having his hands clasped, and his eyes directed upwards. When spoken to, he would reply by a movement of the head; and when asked if he was happy, a sweet smile played over his palid countenance. Utterance was almost gone; yet he was heard to say, "Amazing grace!" "What a refuge!" And his last words were, "It is finished!" We sat watching the sufferer for some hours. No reply could be obtained. The eyes became fixed; the respiration difficult and rapid; it was a solemn occasion. By degrees he seemed to breathe more and more gently. We gathered closer to his couch; his countenance was as calm as ever; but the peculiar pallor of dissolution gradually overspread his features-and he was gone. The silver cord was loosed, the golden bowl was broken, the dust had returned to the dust, and the spirit had ascended unto God who gave it. MR. ROBERTS, THE AMERICAN BAPTIST WE are not prepared to announce J. J. Roberts as a man of sound gospel principles, but we are enabled to set his character, his zeal in the cause of Christ, and the good work commenced by him, as an instrument in the hands of God, in such a light as must we think, move many a believing heart with sympathies of the deepest and purest kind. MISSIONARY TO CHINA. A somewhat protracted illness has unnerved us, and prevents us from entering at present, into the subject of China. But from out of the dust of weakness, where we have laid, we would cry with all our might, that the loud and long-lasting signs of the times which we have witnessed-and which still have an existence-may, by the grace and Spirit of our God, be the means of awakening in our individual breasts, and in our united churches, a holy boldness and a practical going forth, for the extension of gospel truth. From the mass of papers before and around us, we can only give the first part of a review of the pamphlet recently published by James Paul, and entitled "A Voice from British and Scottish Laymen, asking for one thousand Missionaries for China." Our Correspondent says, "The hearts of tens of thousands of zealous christians in this and other lands, have of late been moved with desires for the enlightenment and spiritual benefit of the millions of souls inhabiting the Chinese dominions; while prophecy evidently declares, that the gospel of the grace of God shall sound powerfully throughout the wide domains of this now upheaving empire. These things give to this interesting pamphlet a happy welcome at this time. The insurrection in China, displays an ample opening, by which the pent up waters of Christianity may be poured forth in a copious stream, to overflow and enrich the spacious land of Sinim, which, dried and parched up by ages of pagan darkness, seems now in the fulness of time, prepared to suck in the life-giving moisture. It has been manifest, from the beginning of this amazing movement, that it was of a religious character; the leader himself, being the convert of an American Lay Missionary-and here we must give some little account of his history, as the noble and professed object of this pamphlet, is the advocating of a lay agency for this empire. THE LEADER OF THE CHINESE REVOLUTIONISTS We give the following as it appears in the "California Courier," which states that "the honour of having trained and disciplined the chief,]who set in motion the ball of revolution in China, belongs to J. J. Roberts, late a planter on the banks of the Mississippi. Religious zeal led him to China, and Tea-pan-wang was for a long time his pupil, and on becoming acquainted with the principles of which existed between the various Christian and Christianity, as well as the international relations, civilised states of the world, Tea-pan-wang became impressed that it was his duty to destroy Paganism and to establish Christianity among the people, and to overthrow the venerable walls of China, as well as to open that country to the world. So strong complish these results, that he did not stay in Canwere his convictions, and so anxious was he to acton long enough to connect himself with the church under Mr. Roberts, but quietly left the city with a few friends, some tracts, and portions of the Old and New Testament, to commence the work of revolution in the interior. Neither Mr. Roberts, nor any of his friends knew where he had gone, until they heard of his movements several hundred miles from that city. He shewed himself not only a great teacher, but a great leader, and soon had around him a body of enthusiastic devotees, numbering 10,000. The Tartar Emperor, on learning the insurgents, with the view of putting them all this fact, ordered an army to march to the camp of to death. The two armies met, and after a hard contest, the Emperor's troops were defeated. This was the beginning of the revolution; and now more than two-thirds of China have been conquered, and that country may be said to be under a new civil administration. Tea-pan-wang has recently he invites him to the camp of the insurgents as their teacher and chaplain. In this letter, he alludes to their former acquaintance, and to the deep impression which still remained on his mind nim. He says nearly all the provinces have come from the religious instruction he had received from under his control; that myriads of men assemble morning and evening for worship, and to observe the ten holy commandments. But he confesses, with apparent regret, that few of them are deeply versed in the doctrines of the gospel. He therefore vitation has been accepted, and Mr. Roberts is now urges Mr. Roberts to come to his camp, which intravelling as chaplain to the revolutionists. Mr. Roberts is an original, and we may say, a remarkable man, a native of North Carolina. We knew him in our boyhood, before he left for that great theatre on which he is now acting so distinguished a part. On making a profession of religion in Mississippi, where he was a large planter, he suddenly emancipated his slaves, leased out his plantation, and offered himself to the American Baptist Mission, to go to China. He was so little known to the board, that they declined to receive him. Nothing daunted, he started to China on his own account, and he has acted untrammelled by committees, &c." written a letter to the Rev. Mr. Roberts, in which With such a history-aye, and a lay history too, we were cheered with astonishing delight, and would say " Shades of the illustrious dead of our churches, now impel us to action." Thus zealously writes our correspondent: and much more has he written, than we can find room for this month. The pamphlet referred to, is full of stirring facts; and we hope it will do good. [ 253 ] A CRITICAL ENQUIRY INTO THE VITALITY OF DR. CUMMING'S CHRISTIANITY. A LETTER TO MR. PEGG, OF CLAXTON, IN REPLY TO HIS LETTER ON DR. CUMMING'S DOCTRINE. (See page 235, Vol. X.) FRIEND PEGG.-In this month's EARTHEN, VESSEL, I see that you have made some tart and smart remarks on the sayings and writings of Doctor Cumming. Now I believe that Mr. Cumming is a clever, intelligent, learned man. But from what I have seen of his writings, and heard of his lecturings, I really could not come to any satisfactory conclusion in my own mind that he is at the present a spiritual man, or one that is born of the Spirit. I wish to write and speak charitably, neither would I judge the man, with regard to his eternal statestanding before God; that must be left to the Great Searcher of all hearts. But He that is spiritual judgeth all things; and I really believe (so far as my little judgment goes in Divine things) that you are scripturally correct in your remarks on his writings. I have heard the man applauded much, and lifted up high on the tongues and opinions of many truth professors; but I have generally been dumb to their applauses, or said little or nothing; for as the saying is, "least said is soonest mended;" but indeed I have thought the more, and have been almost compelled to speak out quite loud, when I have heard the breath of men spent in exalting him; and have had thoughts of giving some remarks in writing. But now, as you have written much of that which I should have written, it is not worth while going over your ground. But I must confess I was somewhat gratified in reading your observations, in which you have truthfully shewn his Arminian errors. Micah vii. 2.-That is, among natural, unregenerate men. I have heard of a young preacher, who was about to be settled as pastor over a church, and some of the politer sort among them made this sort of enquiry: Where was he educated? at what college or academy? has he been respectably brought up? An experimental old lady who had received her education in the saint's school, said, "Never mind about how he has been brought up; let us know whether he has been brought down." A man may rise high in public opinion, literature, and in the favor of men, even to admiration as a writer and pulpiter; but unless he has been brought down right first, by the weight and power of God's holy law in his conscience against sin, that worketh wrath, despair, and death, and raised by the power of the Holy Ghost, through faith unto the life, love, truth and righteousness of Christ, his soul is not upright within him; he is up-wrong. However he may appear upright among men, he is not upright in the sight of God. The upright, means the righteous; and righteousness means right things towards God and man; and if a man contend with his heart and soul for error, and wrong things, contrary to the words and Spirit of God, how can his soul be upright in him, or before God? He must be up-wrong in some things, however high he soars. the good woman said, a man must first be brought down-right down-before he is raised up by the Spirit, grace and power of God, and made upright in heart and soul, and before God. If Dr. Cumming, in the fear of God, would give a reason of "the hope that is in him, with meekness and fear," to those who meekly ask it of him, and shew how he was brought down to say with Job, "Behold, I am vile: rottenness entered into my bones, and trembling into my belly;" as the prophet of God did; and then how he was raised up by the Spirit, grace and mercy of God, unto the love, truth, life and righteousness of Christ, he would appear an upright man, in the eyes of the upright in heart; and then they could As A man may be naturally clever, intellectual and wise, and separate himself, by good sense, from the profane, the vulgar, and the illiterate, and yet not "have the Spirit." A man may be lifted up to preach before royalty, members of both houses of parliament, and the nobility; a man may be lifted up by wealth, place, honor and preferment; à man may be lifted up with a little human learning, intellectuality and knowledge; for the apostle saith, "knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth;" a man may be lifted by popularity, and the applause of men; and if he is a man of what is called chaste and good language, a good give him the right hand of fellowship." If memory, learning, and respectable connections, he would shew how he was killed by the law, fine voice, and eloquent language, he may be and made alive by the Spirit in the gospellifted up into a pulpit in fine robes, and be how he was wounded and how he was healed, admired by polite people, fashionable ladies and how Christ Jesus (as the apostle saith) was and gentlemen, and young maidens, until his revealed in him, we should think him upright, own spirit be lifted up very high, and he very and not up-wrong; and with gladness and rehigh in his own opinion, self-righteousness, joicing receive his testimony; but we cannot and even self-deception. For mark the search-receive his Arminian confusion. It is Babeling, solemn words of the holy Scriptures, as given by the Holy Ghost-" Behold! his soul, which is lifted up, is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." Hab. ii. 4. Then, if a man is not upright, he is upwrong; for we know from the holy Word of God, that "there is none upright among men." building, and Babylon signifies confusion. It is true he has manifested great zeal against Popery, that spawn of hell; and made much noise in his lecturings and writings against the Pope, and Popery without. far we agree with him, and can go with him hand-in-hand. But what are all these lectures So |