264 RECOGNITION OF MR. CARTWRIGHT. The same being done, and our brother Bug declaring the show to be wholly unanimous, brother Skelton desired him, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in behalf of this Christian church, among whom the Lord had made him a deacon, and our brother Joseph Cartwright, its pastor, to give him the right hand of fellowship as such; and on this being done, the hearts of the little flock, with its pastor and deacon, seemed to beat with joy, and their eyes to beam with delight, as all present appeared to respond to their feelings, as with a hearty amen. consequently, with their consent and approba- | of grace, wherever it is found, where there is tion, I was allowed to speak in the Lord's no special call to the work of the ministry. name, wherever he might be pleased to open a Still, my dear brother, I would not-neither door; and at various places, from that time, do I-make this remark, thereby to lay any I have continued to be engaged in that work; bonds upon you, or to bring you, as it were, to though meeting with opposition from certain my standard or bar; for this is a matter parties, who used all their endeavors to per- standing between God and your own soul; suade and prevent me from the same; and and there I leave it. And now I call upon when it pleased the Lord to lay me by, the members of this church, who are in this through an accident which befel me-on ac- assembly, to signify and declare their heartcount of which I was in the Infirmary for felt choice of our brother, Joseph Cartwright, some time-it was said the Lord was shewing as their pastor, by holding up each his or her me in this matter that it was not his will that right hand, and thereby publicly recognising I should preach. Nevertheless, the Lord has him as such. still continued to open doors for me in his work, and given me reason to hope his blessing and sanction has attended my poor labors in his vineyard, until, as our dear brother has related, it pleased him to direct my feet, in his providence, among this people at Lee Common, who have been led, as you have heard, to call upon me to take the pastoral charge of them, as a Particular Baptist Church, holding strict communion principles; the which, having accepted, still I have told them, and now tell them again, that should they have itching ears, being desirous that another man should hold the said office among them, they have only to make known their wish, and I shall hold myself in readiness to stand aside, that their desire in such case may be realised; counting it a disgrace to any man to continue in such office, anywhere, or among any people, contrary to their desire; or to be found among a people where the cause, instead of increasing, is seen to decrease; and for my own part, I would rather be found gathering manure on this Common, than be found continuing to hold the office to which the church here has called, chosen appointed me, without having and continuing to have, visible signs of the Lord's blessing being afforded. Brother Skelton then desired our brother Cartwright to state what were the doctrines he was desirous to preach and promulgate among this people? In reply to which, he gave a brief statement in detail of the articles of his faith, which were in strict accordance with those held by churches of the Particular Baptist denomination; and brother Skelton, after hearing the above three-fold statement, remarked, that for his own part, he considered every one present, being called by the grace of God, must be perfectly satisfied; yea, would and must desire to rejoice with him, for what the Lord had done for him in the matter of his call by grace, and conversion to God; and, referring to the statement of his call to the ministry, said: You, my brother, have stated unto us your having been very desirous to be useful; and if a man desire the office of a bishop, through the inward movings or motions of the Holy Ghost, it is a good thing; but in the discharge of my conscience, I must declare it is my inward and firm persuasion, that if it pleased the Lord to call an old woman at the age of ninety-nine, she would feel desirous to be useful in the conversion of her neighbours, or those who were around her, inasmuch as such a desire stands associated with the very work Brother Skelton then proceeded to give a charge to the pastor, from the words, "Take care of the church of God." 1 Tim. iii. 5. Wherein, after describing by the context the necessary qualifications of a Christian pastor, or bishop-which terms were synonymoushe gave some weighty advice, counsel, charge and direction unto our brother Cartwright in reference to the position and official standing he held among that church; which may the Lord give him grace, wisdom and ability to attend to. In the course of which he exhorted, counselled, charged, directed and encouraged him to consider himself in such office and capacity as the father of a family, the shepherd of a flock, and as a captain of a company; and as such, to take care of those who, under God, had committed themselves to his charge, in the solemn, yet pleasing office he sustained among them, and in matters connected with his ministry, which was that by which their souls were to be fed from time to time. He would not say to him as has been said on such occasions as the present, "Beg, borrow or steal from any man's books, any way or anyhow, so as you get matter for the pulpit;" whilst he would recommend him to read every good book which might be conducive to his own spiritual instruction and edification; and in such case he would not be obliged, neither would he feel disposed to eat his morsel thus obtained, alone; but he would solemnly charge him to preach the preaching the Lord bade him, and gave unto him; and although it may be his to deal it out, not as in a lordly dish, still, let it be his own, as waters which he himself had drank of; and never to be found studying to preach, so as to please the mere caprice of the people. In plain terms, if the Lord gave him to realize the freedom and liberty of the gospel, always to preach it; though the people may be apt to say, "Ah, he preaches over our head." But never mind that, brother! sow your seed from your hand-basket, and look above for the BETHEL CHAPEL, TROWBRIDGE. crop. And furthermore, if your poor soul should be in bondage, tell the people of it; and not in the midst of felt bondage be attempting to preach soul-felt liberty; for in either case you will not be found honest. But, "take care of the church of God;" be always affectionately disposed toward them; wrestle at the throne of grace for them; get your texts and sermons for them, as it were, on your knees before God. Although you may, after the labors of the week, have to obtain the word after you come here in this pulpit, preach the everlasting gospel unto them in all its blessed fulness; and in so doing according to the grace and ability the dear Lord shall minister to you from his fulness, in the fresh supplies of his Spiritfeed them with what the Lord gives you, and be in readiness to weep with those of them who weep, and to rejoice with those of them who rejoice; and may the Lord himself bless your labors of love, while taking care of the church of God at Lee Common, whom he hath thus committed to your charge. In the evening service, our brother Cartwright read and prayed, and our brother Parsons preached to the church; and in so doing, gave them some able advice, wise counsel, sound instruction, timely caution, and sweet exhortation, from the words, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake. And be at peace among yourselves." 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. In matters connected with the above ordination, it was rather remarkable, that neither of the three ministers appointed to officiate on the occasion, had never been themselves publicly ordained; yet this proved to be no obstacle in the way, as to the said services. A happy day was spent, and we trust God glorified, and his people edified. Praying that our dear brother Banks may be speedily restored to his wonted strength and work, Your's truly, Oct. 20, 1854. AHIEZER. BETHEL CHAPEL, TROWBRIDGE. DEAR BROTHER BANKS,-I was at Bethel, Trowbridge, on the 8th instant; and it was, to me, one of the sweetest days I have been favoured with since my recovery. My subject through the day was, "But I obtained mercy." And I have reason to believe it was a refreshing time to some of the people; for I heard one saying to another, "Well, I can say, I have obtained mercy." In little Bethel, there is an opening for a man equipped and taught by the Holy Ghost, who feels the life and power of the exhortation, "Let your moderation be known unto all men. If my brother will, or can, allow me room in the VESSEL, I will tell him what kind of a man the dear souls want at Bethel. They do not want a man with creature, or booklearned doctrines, however square those doctrines might be with the letter; nor one that 265 judges himself capable of correcting and improving the supposed blunders of our present translation, with bustle, noise, and loquacity; but one that has, in truth, painfully and pleasantly learned all that he preaches, either in the furnace or on the heights of Zion; one that has gone upon his feet through the valley of the shadow of death, and can describe the mystery of the "rod and staff" comforting him; one that has been long tossed upon the waves of tribulation, and not only been brought to the end of his wits, but the end of all creature helps and all creature faith's prospects of being swallowed up, yet, to the wonder of himself, and all who have known him, when visible help failed him then, was the Lord's arm made bare for him, and the song has been made as much his own as if he had composed it, "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; yea, than the mighty waves of the sea."-One that in his own daily exercises can go before the weak, sorrowful, and trembling soul, comforting others that need comfort with the same comfort wherewith he has been in tribulation comforted of God;-one that can distinguish the old man from the new, and expose the old man's craft, workings, and mimicery of the new man; can give a clear, and decisive, description of the work, leading, teaching, and witnessings of God the Spirit. Such a man will find circumcised ears, and opened hearts, at Bethel to receive and welcome his message, I am confident. But, my dear brother may ask, What are the prospects providentially at Bethel? Prospects, I would answer, are, to my view, encouraging. In no town in the county of Wilts, is there such a spirit for hearing as in Trowbridge, nor so many manifested sons and daughters of the professed Jerusalem. The church and congregation at Bethel is not large; but if a man was there who preached and lived the truths he preached, there must be an addition. There are some dear praying souls, whom I know, and love, and very sure I am, that a spiritual minister, who sought and minded the glory of the Lord and not the wool of the sheep, would soon find himself at home among the people. It is true, they will not be able to support a man wholly without a little exertion on his own part distinct from his ministerial work; but Trowbridge is a populous town, and any man in health may procure by industry, a little income, either by a school, or some other light employment. Let it not be said, as it hath been said, "But Mr. Warburton is at Trowbridge, and it is wrong to oppose him in his old age." This is fleshly talk; do not think Mr. Warburton counts himself, or wishes to be counted, a pope, the universal bishop, or vicar; nor does, or can he, claim Trowbridge as his exclusive diocese; nor that he can do another man's appointed work, any more than another man can do his work; therefore, let not his advocates insult him, and invalidate his principles, by such childish objections. Some people, by their absurd opposition to others, give the enemy room to say that our ulterior aim is filthy | with healing in the morning, shone brightly lucre; and if worldly advantages are the things sought, then let Bethel and Bethesda be shut and Zion only be left open; but if gathering, edifying, and comforting the elect of God, is the one only and all-engrossing object of our pursuit, as it ought to be, then let every nook and corner, room, and convenient place, which the Lord in his providence may give access unto, be occupied by spiritually experimental men in publishing the "Everlasting gospel;" and I, for one, if the only one, will rejoice, and wish such men good speed in the name of the Lord. ON Wednesday morning, October the 18th, the day fixed for opening our new chapel, a few friends met at nine o'clock in the vestry for prayer. I believe the Lord was present to bless; and the Sun of Righteousness, which shone upon the after services of the day, arose at this early meeting with healing in his wings. At eleven o'clock a numerous company were assembling; and representatives from many hills of God's one Zion cheered the hearts of his people. The service being opened by singing, Mr. Abrahams read the 55th Psalm; and I think I can never forget with what power the 22nd verse fell upon my soul-"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. My little vessel was full to the brim; and I thought I had never seen such beauties before in that text. After prayer, in which much power was felt, by minister and people, Mr. Abrahams preached a sweet and suitable sermon from the words in 2 Chron. vi. 40. The power of God rested on this discourse, not easily to be forgotten by many. After the close of this service, the friends, chiefly from the country, repaired to the dining room of the Royal Oak, where a very bountiful table had been spread by the voluntary offerings of a warm-hearted and liberal people; and the guests bidden on gospel terms-viz., "without money and without price." Isaiah li. 1. About one hundred were present. That this plan was duly appreciated, and worthy of imitation by other bodies, was manifested, by equally voluntary and liberal collections. In the afternoon service, portions of the Word were read; and a short discourse delivered from Psalm xxxvi. 7, 8. After which, about 120 took tea together, which had also been gratuitously provided. The evening service offered an opportunity to many who were unable to attend on the former services; and an excellent congregation was present, to listen to a well-timed and profitable discourse, by Mr. Wallinger-"Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers; to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts xx. 28. The Sun that arose through the day-still gave his glorious light. Of us it may be said with truth, we had joy and gladness, a feast, and a good day-yea, that we had light and gladness, and joy and honor-"the Lord of hosts being with us." The people also brought for free-will offerings to the Lord "gold, silver and brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, and goats' hair, with other precious things for the Tabernacle." Exodus xxv. 1, 9. So that on this day, by comparatively a small people, £42 6s. 2d. was collected, and £22 10s. 10d. sent by friends at a distance; making the sum of £64 16s. 2d. Added to this, £6 14s. 9d., on Lord's-day, making a total of £71 10s. 11d. I must add briefly, that my esteemed brother, Mr. Tatham, preached morning and afternoon, on Lord's-day, two instructive and profitable discourses, the concluding services being conducted by the pastor. A short discourse was delivered in the evening to a numerous and attentive congregation from the words, "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee: the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious," &c. Isaiah xxx. 13, 14. After which, a brief statement of God's gracious dealings with us during the building, was made, and which I must, for brevity's sake, here suppress; promising (D.V.) to lay before God's people, as soon as possible, a full statement of funds received, &c., together with some peculiar incidents, and special interpositions of a Divine Providence, from the first meeting held for the building of this chapel, to the completion of the work. I will only add, that it is with deep and unfeigned gratitude to God, and to his people, I am permitted the honor of erecting a house for God, for truth, and for his people. Your's in the gospel, C. PAVEY. Hastings, Oct. 23, 1854. SOHO SUNDAY SCHOOL.-On Tuesday, Oct. 10th, the fifteenth annual meeting of the friends of the Sabbath Schools was held at Soho Chapel, Oxford Street. At the tea, a goodly number sat down; when the public meeting commenced, Mr. G. Wyard, the chairman, after singing and prayer, called upon one of the friends to read the report of the proceedings during the past year, in which was detailed a series of events both interesting and encouraging to all true friends of the Sabbath School. It appears that the number of the scholars have been gradually progressing; the attendance and behaviour have been very good; and although some of the children have left the school, yet the teachers have had the gratification of seeing many of them becoming useful members of society, and some of them are now members of the church, who, by their walk and conversation, have proved that the labours of the teachers have not been in vain in the Lord. The adoption of the report having been moved by Mr. Alldis, and seconded by Mr. Meeres, was received unanimously: another hymn being sung, the following brethren addressed the meeting:-Mr. Bloomfield, upon the requisite qualifications for a WOOLWICH-DORSET SQUARE-WELLINGBORO'-TROWBRIDGE. teacher. Mr. Milner, upon the teacher's work. Mr. Gittens, upon the teacher's encouragements and discouragements. Mr. Bowes, upon the faithful teacher's reward. The speeches, although comparatively short, were cheerful, encouraging, and instructive. There can be no question but that meetings of this kind tend to encourage the teachers and friends to prosecute their work of faith and labour of love with increased energy, "knowing that in due time they shall reap, if they faint not." CARMEL CHAPEL, WOOLWICH.-On Lord'sday morning, September 24th, 1854, the ordinance of believer's baptism was administered by our esteemed brother Hanks, of Manchester, to ten disciples, four males and six females, who were, with two persons from distant churches, received into communion on the evening of the same day. It was truly a solemn and happy day to many of the Lord's family, and an encouraging one to the church generally. It is now six years since this cause was opened by about six individuals, and nearly five years since the formation of the church, composed of twenty-two persons. We have to record with gratitude the goodness of the Lord unto us; though our beginning was small, he has owned and blessed the feeble effort to maintain the glorious gospel of the ever blessed God in this locality, and has made his Word "the power of God unto salvation" to many souls. Since our formation sixty-one members have been added unto the church; so that, in looking at our short career, our little Carmel has been a fruitful vineyard, one that the Lord has cared for, and constantly watered. We are, through the mercy of the Lord, enjoying the unity of the Spirit and the sweet bond of peace, and are constrained to unite in the language of the Psalmist and exclaim, "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." We also take the present opportunity of acknowledging the kindness of the Lord's ministers, both of town and country, in the willingness they have always manifested in serving us, and trust their own souls have often been watered whilst they have been instrumental in watering others. Our prayer is, that the Lord may still abundantly bless Zion's provision and satisfy her poor with bread; that he may clothe her priests with salvation, and that her saints may shout aloud for joy. MOUNT ZION CHAPEL, HILL STREET.— On Lord's-day, September 24th, 1854, brother Foreman baptised seven disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ; who having been convinced of their lost condition as sinners, their utter helplessness as regards salvation, and the sufficiency and suitability of the Lord Jesus as a Saviour of lost sinners: and being further taught that to obey is better than sacrifice," they thus publicly testified both their faith and obedience. Text Ps. cxix. 174. Showing and proving, that a longer after salvation, is one that delights in the law of God: and only satisfy such, that the salvation they long for is theirs, they are ready and willing to obey all the laws of the King of Zion, in any and every way, through water or fire. W. H. 267 THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT WELLINGBOROUGH.-Dear Brother,-I have engaged to supply at Wellingborough for twelve months, commencing on Sabbath Oct. 1st, 1854. The people are making a stir to improve the old chapel a little; they have widened the road to it, and are lighting the chapel with gas-not, however, with the view of eclipsing the light of gospel truth--that I hope will continue to shine bright: I cannot consent to an adulteration thereof! and the people are plain and honest, they do not require it. I go to them with David's weapons of war, a sling and five smooth stones; I do not know how to wear Saul's armour, nor use his weapons. The sword of philosophy, the spear of eloquence, the shield of carnal reason, and the coat of mail, of self-righteousness, do not fit me. The darts of satan, and the arrows of the Almighty, would speedily penetrate, go through, and burn them up. Therefore the people and me at present seem very well met; nevertheless I may be on the march at the end of the twelvemonth. Do not be afraid, however, that as they have widened the path to the chapel, they have also widened the road to the church. No, that is as it always was; the path to that remains narrow, and few there be that find it, because the gates defend it. There is the gate of regeneration, that is sheep gate, and only sheep go through it. Eliashib (the God of conversion) rose up and built it (Neh. iii. 1,) and his brethren, the priests, help him in defending it. Then there is fish gate, where they are examined, the good fish is preserved, but the unclean fish being prohibited, the Hebrew fishers discard them: eels, oysters, and crabs being among the prohibited, we cannot find a place for them. Eels dwell in mud; oysters I cannot open; and crabs, who waddle one-sided, cannot walk straight, or in paths of righteousness and truth. Then there is old gate, the good old fashioned divinity of the Bible, we wish to discover in them: the new fashioned systems of John Wesley and Andrew Fuller will not do for us. Then there is water gate, and here many boggle; they long stand shivering on the brink and fear to launch away; the consequence is, that if they do pass sheep gate, fish gate, and old gate, and yet not being able to get through water gate, they are obliged to stand still in prison gate: so that the path to the church is not an inch wider. Yours in the Beloved, ELIAS GRIFFITHS. BETHESDA CHAPEL, TROWBRIDGE.—Our brother John Webster, in a cheerful note, dated Oct. 19th, says: "We had our second anniversary of my settlement on Lord's-day and Tuesday evening, when there was a good company to tea; although the weather was unfavourable, yet about 400 sat down; after which there was a public meeting, W. Fowler, Esq., presided; excellent addresses were delivered; the collections were liberal. The report read of the state of the church wasBaptised, 19; restored to communion, 7; received by letter, 13; increase 39. Died in the Lord, 7; dismissed, 1; excluded, 2. Total of members, 187; Sunday school, 150; teachers, 50 (two sets). Our evening attendance 600 268 MALMESBURY-HUNGARY HILL-ISLINGTON-HALSTEAD. average; the morning and afternoon well attended. Thus poor Bethesda has been blessed with two years of peace and a gradual increase, so that our noble chapel begins to look respectable; but our Debt (£350) is a burden felt, which, with the poverty of the members, is not likely soon to be removed; but you say, dear brother, "Jehovah-Jireh." Well, we erect our Ebenezer, and trust for the future." TROWBRIDGE.-A correspondent from Trowbridge, says, of our dear old friend, John Warburton, "he fails very much; but, preaches most blessedly:- his son John has been labouring in his father's pulpit, with much acceptance, and has baptised several." Here is a three-fold cause for sincere praise to Zion's Covenant head-First for the great use the Lord has been pleased to make of his venerable servant, John Warburton, for so many years, in Trowbridge, and other parts of England. John Warburton, as a man, may have his weak parts - Where is the man who has not ?-but, as a minister of Christ, he has been, by grace, kept faithful; as a Christian, he has been mercifully preserved: as a pastor, and preacher, he has been a blessing to multitudes Secondly, that the Lord should so marvellously call, by saving grace, the younger John-and thirdly, that the Spirit of all truth should qualify and send him forth into the ministry; and therein make use of him;surely, for all these things, our souls should praise the Lord. Very soon - and the father will be called to rest; may the son, under divine anointing, fill up the father's place, and feed the Church of God for very many years to come. MALMESBURY.-Perhaps no man living has been more favoured with preserving grace, nor honoured, as an instrument in the hand of God, in the ingathering and feeding of precious souls, than has the good old Baptist pastor of Malmesbury. Though exceedingly brief, yet how pleasing the following note: 66 Malmesbury, Wilts.-Eleven persons were baptised in the river Avon, on Sunday, the 15th of October, and united to the Baptist church in the aforesaid town, over which Mr. Martin has presided as pastor forty-three years." THANKSGIVING MEETING, BETHEL CHAPEL, HUNGARY HILL. On Monday, September the 2nd, we assembled together to bless the Lord for his goodness. Our dear brother Coles was there with us to offer up his thanks unto the Lord. In the evening that dear man of God spake to us; he spoke not the word of man, but of God, with power and with demonstration of the Spirit; if ever the Lord did make his presence known to his people, truly he did then; for we could say with good old Jacob of old, "It was the house of God, and the very gate of heaven." O, how sweet it is to sit down beneath the shadows, and to find the precious and delicious fruits of the blessed gospel sweet to our taste! Our brother Coles spoke from the first seven verses of the 103rd Psalm, in a way that we never heard any before him; the Lord was pleased to lead his mind blessedly to unfold the sacred Word, and the Holy Ghost was pleased to open our hearts to receive it; most sweetly did we feel the preciousness of its power. T. DRAKE. PROVIDENCE CHAPEL, ISLINGTON.—Mr. Editor: In calling the attention of your readers to our fifth anniversary, on Lord'sday, November 19, will you allow us to give them a brief sketch of our history-so that when they come to see us, they may know something of our pedigree? For although we have now a commodious house to entertain them in, yet the road which has led to it has been a rugged one, and sometimes so dark we have been ready to conclude we should see the light no more. "His ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts." We first met in a room in Church Street, with our friend and brother, Mr. Flack, at our head, proclaiming the glorious gospel of the grace of God. His removal, to take the oversight of a church in the country, caused an invitation to be given to Mr. Glaskin, (our pastor,) which led to a church being formed in November, 1850, in Windsor Street, to which place the little band had then removed. At Windsor Street we were not allowed to remain long; we then journeyed to Parkfield Street; here we halted for a short season only; and again we journeyed to the Tabernacle, which, to use our esteemed friend Mr. Foreman's language, was "a curious kind of place." Here our stay was a little more protracted; and thence we journeyed to Providence Chapel. By these changes we have had no less than four removals in three years. Under these circumstances it could not be expected we should meet with much prosperity. Notwithstanding these events, the word has been, and is still being blessed. The number of our members has arisen from 8 to 60; and our congregation averages from 350 to 400. H. HALL. HALSTEAD, ESSEX.-Dear Brother: I send a few lines to inform you of the Lord's dealings with us, verses. 1st, He proved how Christ is God's; 2nd, There are [We rejoice to know that Henry Bartholomew, the sharply-tried pastor of the Baptist Church at Halstead, is still maintained in usefulness & peace.] |