out of darkness into the light, and set one at liberty who afterwards joined the church. "I supplied at other places. At length the church at Ryarsh gave me a unanimous call, which I accepted. The Lord very much blessed my ministry there, during which time a new chapel was built, and forty were baptized. I left them on terms of greatest love and esteem-we parted in prayer for each other's welfare. "In 1873 I was settled at Carltonthere I had a happy pastorate for six years, with tokens of divine blessing upon my labours. I left them on terms of the warmest affection, and still have a happy remembrance of them as they do of me. "I am not surprised that I am at Cambridge as the chosen pastor of the church; for eight years ago I had certain impressions upon my mind, and after a twelvemonth's probation, among them to-day I see those impressions realised. Thus I can endorse the language of the poet-God moves in a mysterious way,' &c." Mr. Shepherd next called upon Mr. Jull to give a brief outline of his doctrinal views, to which he replied by reading a clear and concise confession of faith, in strict harmony with the doctrines and order of the New Testament. Mr. Shepherd now called upon the members present to signify their acceptance of Mr. Jull as their pastor, which they did by rising in their places. Mr. Bull (of Wellingborough) then joined the hands of the pastor and deacon in a few affectionate and solemn sentences, commending both to God and to the word of His grace. Mr. Shepherd then concluded with prayer. Tea was served to a crowded assembly, and at 6.30 divine service was resumed, when Mr. J. S. Anderson delivered a judicious and practical address to the pastor, founded on 2 Tim. ii. 15-" Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth." In his usual calm and deliberate manner Mr. Anderson enlarged upon the twofold requisites of a minister-a student, and a workman, pointing out the importance and necessity of the first, in order to qualify for the second. Mr. Bull followed with an appropriate address to the church and congregation, and the services of a day, which we believe will long and gratefully be remembered at Cambridge, were brought toaclose. AGED PILGRIMS' ASYLUM, HORNSEY RISE The ninth anniversary of this Asylum was held on the 2nd ult. Mr. Ashdown, of Burgess Hill, preached in the afternoon to a crowded congregation in the Asylum Chapel, taking for his text, Psa. cvii. 7, delivering therefrom a plain gos. pel sermon with considerable feeling. At the close of the service a collection was taken, after which about 300 friends partook of tea in the large hall of the Asylum. The tea was provided and served under the superintendence of the ladies of the Asylum Committee, an arrangement that secured the comfort and satisfaction of the numerous friends present to partake of the pleasant and refreshing meal, differing much from what too often obtains when the company is left to the tender mercies of a 66 contractor." At the Public Meeting held in the same place, Marcus Martin, Esq. a Christian gentleman of the legal profession, and of the patriarchal age of eighty years, presided. There was a large attend ance of friends, both elderly and juvenile. It is pleasant to see so many young people present at these gatherings on behalf of the Lord's aged poor saints. "May the Most Blessed be their Guide, Unto His gate, into His fold, Up to His holy hill." Mr. Dowson, formerly of Bradford, now of Crouch Hill, London, offered prayer devoutly and appropriately, after which the Chairman, in an interesting and appropriate speech, introduced the business of the evening. Mr. Jackson, the Secretary, read the report for the past year, and the meeting was addressed in a suitable and effective manner by Messrs. Macfarlane, Box, Hoare, Frith, Hand, Ashdown, and Pepper. A collection was taken in the course of the evening, which with that of the afternoon, amounted to £26 18s., being on behalf of the Coal Fund of this Asylum, the permanent income of which falls short by £100 per annum of the sum needed to supply the 120 aged inmates of the Asylum with that most indispensable necessary of life. Several friends took collecting cards on behalf of this fund, and Mr. Jackson will be happy to supply others by a line addressed to him at the Asylum. A sale of useful and ornamental work, the production of many kind friends of the Lord's aged poor, was held during the day in the committee room. The proceeds of the sale, including some contributions in money, amounted to about £50, which was devoted to the "Benevolent Fund" of the Asylum, from which the ladies of the Committee provide special aid in cases of sickness and great infirmity; a most invaluable and indispensable form of ministering to the wants of the sixscore aged ones placed under their care. METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION OF STRICT BAPTIST CHURCHES. Our friends will remember the very interesting account of the annual gatherings of the Association, furnished by our brother Shepherd, that appeared in the April number of the Herald and Voice. Since then the "Annual Report' has been published, containing details of the operations of the Association during the year, its rules and doctrinal basis; also list of officers for the present year, statistics of the churches, statements of accounts, and lists of donors and subscribers to the loan fund. Besides these there are the sermon and addresses delivered on the occasion of the last anniversary, given verbatim; the whole Report comprising twentyeight pages. The Sermon, occupying fully five pages, closely printed, is solid and judicious, exhibiting the ripened experience of the much esteemed preacher, Mr. J. L. Meeres, the President of the Association, and will well repay an attentive perusal. The addresses by Messrs. Styles, Osmond, and Anderson, founded on the apostolic benediction, are interesting, instructive, and savory. Friends who have not yet obtained a copy of this report should send to the secretary for one, enclosing a stamp for postage only, and a copy will at once be forwarded. Address Mr. John Box, Baptist minister, 80, Grovelane, Camberwell, S.E. The Association now comprises thirty-two churches, including two added this year, viz., those at Zoar Chapel, Holloway, and Bethel Chapel, St. Alban's. The last-named cause comes in under the operation of a Resolution extending the area of the Association to a radius of twenty-five miles from St. Paul's cathedral. There being no kindred association in any of the counties adjoining the metropolis to which churches of the like faith and order can unite themselves, this extension of our borders has been thought desirable. During the past year two churches have received valuable assistance from the General Fund, and five have had grants from the Loan Fund. This last named fund is affording substantial assistance to the churches, and additional subscribers to it are earnestly desired by the committee in order to raise the annual income to £100. As an additional £10 per annum only is needed to accomplish this, the present yearly income having reached the sum of £90, surely this cherished desire of the committee will speedily be realised. To assist in erecting places of worship, or in freeing them from debt, is a deed respecting the like of which it was once said by our God Himself, "It was well that it was in thine heart." Let, then, every reader of these lines, who may feel such a desire in his or her heart, send a subscription of 5s., 10s. 6d., or 21s., according as means may afford, to Mr. Box, our zealous and indefatigable Secretary, and the offering as presented through Christ our Lord shall be vouchsafed the divine approbation. The Family Circle. ANSWERS TO BIBLE EXERCISES ON P. 160. 13. Miracles of compassion and love. 1. Restoring Jairus' daughter to life. 2. Restoring the widow of Nain's son to life. 3. Raising Lazarus from the dead. Miracles simply of power; 1. Stilling the tempest. 2. Turning the water into wine.-G.E.M. 14. The "book" spoken of by Moses in Exod. xxxii. 32, can only refer to temporal matters, he cannot be thought to have wished to die eternally. 15. 1. A love of certain qualities in persons; "When Jesus heard these things He marvelled at him, and said-I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," Luke vii. 9. 2. A love to them as special friends, "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples whom Jesus loved," John xiii. 23. 3. A love to them as objects of His everlasting favour. "Jesus said unto him, Verily, say unto you, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise," Luke xxiii. 43.—G.E.M. 16. Titus ii. 12. To live soberly is as regards our own appetites and desires; righteously, towards all men, giving all their due, and doing good to all as far as we are able; godly, toward God in His worship and service, remembering to do all things to the glory of God, not for the praise of men, which is of no lasting value, but from motives of love to God and in His fear.-G. E. M. he Gospel Commission. BY THE LATE MR. JOHN STEVENS." WHEREVER the gospel of Christ goes, the grandeur of the cross rides forth in that triumphal car. Wherever the gospel trumpet sounds, the music of the Saviour's voice drops on our ears. Wherever the grand atonement is attested, a ground of attachment is presented. And wherever his noble character is set forth and exemplified, an unerring pattern of true holiness is laid before His admiring disciples. We may therefore remark, that the preaching of the blessed gospel is big with consequences; that it is fraught with the highest causes, and cannot fail to be productive of the most lasting and beneficial effects. Yes, even to the elect and mighty angels, its truths are instructive; and their joys are increased by the glorious discoveries of the throne of Divine Majesty in the gospel plan; containing the development of the mystery hid in God, and the bright disclosure of Him who had been concealed in the bosom of His Father, but became revealed to the nations of this world" in the fulness of the time." The commission given by our Lord originates in the eternal purpose of the God of all grace. This must be deemed the origin of this holy mystery of wisdom, love, and power. In the sovereign salvation of condemned men, the very heart of God is opened and manifested in diversified expressions of unthought-of goodness, unexpected grace, and unprocurable mercy; which the wicked, the worthless, and the undone could never have anticipated, laid claim to, realized, or even wished for. Had it pleased the eternal God of all grace to keep His purpose secret, it must have remained for ever unknown: for who by searching can find out God? "There is no searching of His understanding." Had He held back the lustre of His throne of grace, no mortal could ever have served Him in the bright beams of His glory, that shine around Him in heaven. The commission given is an outflow of the sovereign favour of Almighty God. The testimony of Scripture is, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light, through the gospel. Hence the words of the commission are, Go ye into 66 all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." And again, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth: go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them." This holy gospel, then, was a hidden depth of divine wisdom; a treasure concealed-even the riches of God's goodness From a sermon preached July 11, 1841, on behalf of the Suffolk and Norfolk Home Missionary Society. Copies of the sermon entire may be had of R. Hoddy, 54, Hemingford-road, London Ñ.; price 2d. each, post free. No. 573.-SEPTEMBER, 1880. R towards worthless men; but it is now disclosed by the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in our world. By dying Himself, He has abolished death, and has taken away its sting, by yielding Himself to be stung. And by His powerful resurrection, He has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, which He has formed and filled, and also given in commission to be preached to all nations, with the promise of His presence and power to the end of the world. "God has made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself," by the inspired gospel of His grace. And it is by this glorious gospel that He has visited us lost Gentiles, to take out of us a people for His name. Now, seeing these things are divinely recorded, no popular preaching, no pretended mission from heaven, no constructed society or community of good men, or of bad men, can ever prevent the accomplishment of God's gracious design. His counsel shall stand, and He will do all His pleasure. The means He has chosen will assuredly answer the end He has intended. Darkness may for a season hover over Zion, thick clouds may surround the mercy-seat of our God; but He will maintain the thoughts of His heart to all generations. He will work all things after the counsel of His own will; and ultimately the objects of his love and choice will be gathered into such marvellous light as shall open into everlasting day. The commission given is determinate as to its subject, and well adapted to the conditions and circumstances of a guilty and helpless people; and such are all they to whom it is sent. There is only one message to citizens and villagers. The subject being determined, no other can be introduced (1 Cor. ii. 2.) No change can be admitted, no improvement can be made, because the mission is from God. Whatever may be pretended or wished for, the truth of God can never prove injurious; neither can any false conception of mind, alter a true proposition. The real sentiment of the gospel of distinguishing grace must remain through all events and periods immutably the same. In this gracious gospel, we behold the grand design of shewing the harmonized attributes of the holy God, through the free and endless pardon of all manner of sin and blasphemy. Herein is disclosed to us the sovereign transfer of guilt from the eternally adopted family, to their chosen Head; and the imputation of his foreknown obedience to them. Thus, in Him was prepared a secure salvation, present to God, founded in His unalterable purpose, and subject to the determinate dispensation of His invincible power. Hence the conclusion is, that the system of the gospel is what the Lord God Himself has devised and made known; and which must inevitably prosper in securing the highly important ends that he had pre-ordained. A good minister of Christ can preach the gospel, but only God himself could produce it. We may advance a step further, and say, a good minister of Christ must preach the gospel: his language is, "Wo is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." He is not to attempt to alter it, or conceal it; neither is he rerequired to make it successful; yet is he to be seriously careful, lest, through his manner of preaching, he should become the occasion of the cross of Christ being made of none effect. (1 Cor. i. 17.) If the hand of the Lord work with His servants, their message is sure of a glad reception, and His name will have all the praise. That form of sound doctrine which proceeds from His own eternal purpose and grace, can never fail to accomplish that which He pleases, but must surely prosper in the thing whereto He sends it. Through the mighty gospel of Christ the prince of darkness is cast out; his dominion is destroyed; and thousands who would have passed in gross ignorance to their graves, are hereby turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. It should be duly remembered that the holy subjects of gospel truth are not intended by their divine Author to tickle the ear, and please the fancy; but to enlighten the understanding; to purify the affections; to endear the Saviour; and to utterly subdue the carnal mind to the obedience of Jesus Christ our Lord. Then is a good work performed which will last for ever. Nevertheless, when the weakness of the agents employed comes under notice, some, perhaps, may be ready to fear for the cause; while constrained to own, that by such "weak things," God has been pleased "to confound the things which are mighty." "For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe." God works by means that men are apt to undervalue and despise. Distinguishing grace-matchless merits-invincible power-immutable faithfulness-fervent prayerfulness-a lively hopefulness-a vanquished enemy-ministering angels-a living Redeemer-a sanctified cross -and an immortal crown in full prospect: these, my brethren, are the themes which fire the heart, through influence divine, and often bring lost ignorant creatures to worship God in the spirit, and to rejoice in Christ Jesus, to the entire exclusion of confidence in the flesh. The commission given is limited in its design as to its objects. This is a point that claims our attention. The doctrine is preached to men in general, while the salvation itself is imparted to the elect amongst them. The doctrine is preached to all without distinction, and yet is, or ought to be, preached in a distinct manner. It is preached to all men in our publie congregations, while the Spirit of God accompanies it with saving power in the hearts of those who are redeemed to God, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Rev. v. 9; 2 Tim. ii. 10.) While this limitation marks the sovereignty and freeness of divine grace and redemption, it involves no injustice to any one. The gospel of distinguishing grace is the due of no people; and certainly the salvation it reveals can be the just right of no man by nature. But the apostles preached it publicly everywhere. They preached Christ-they preached Him as on a cross-they preached Him as exalted on a throne-they preached Him as the end of the law-they preached Him as the fulness of the gospel-they preached Him as the friend of sinners-they preached Him as the Son of the Father-they preached Him as the head of the church-they preached Him as the shepherd of His flock-they preached Him as "the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness "-they preached Him as having brought in everlasting righteousness for sinners undone they preached Him who satisfied flaming justice who unbarred the gates of paradise-shut up the gates of perdition, that His redeemed should never enter--who attained a triumph-gained a |