Entelligence. GERMANY. THE American Baptist Missionary Magazine for Sept., 1849, states that "the request of Mr. Oncken for an additional appropriation of one thousand dollars, for the support of seven new laborers in Germany, has been complied with by the committee; and it is probable that other applications will come from the same quarter, which the committee will not feel at liberty to decline." The sum of £13 18s. 6d., being £3 2s. 1d. from Astley Bridge, and £10 17s. 2d. from Lord-street, Wigan, less 9d. expenses, was remitted to Mr. Oncken, Dec. 8, by the treasurer of the Strict Baptist Convention. DENMARK. SWEDEN. BROTHER Oncken says, Nov. 27th, "I expect every day to hear that brother Nilsson, the pastor of the Baptist church in Sweden, has been banished from his native country. But, blessed be God, if this takes place, the good seed has been sown there, and not less than forty-five believers have been immersed into Christ's death." HAMBURG. MR. ONCKEN, in a letter dated Nov. 27th, says, "If I was not compelled to spend part of my time at Hamburg, I should feel much inclined to devote the whole of it to visiting the churches in other parts, and to missionary labors generally; as I greatly fear, that, ere long, the now open doors, will be again shut against us. În HANOVER, the imprisonment of brethren has already recommenced; and brother Straube was nearly THE following letter was written in consequence of the impression still made in Denmark, that Mr. P. C. Mönster is in fellowship with the American Baptist bre-murdered by an infuriated mob, led on by a thren: "Baptist Missionary Rooms, "Boston, United States, America, "Nov. 27, 1849. "My dear Brother, I regret deeply to learn that your faithful missionary, Mr. Förster, and the brethren associated with him in Denmark are liable to suffer wrong and injury from Mr. P. C. Mônster, and that the power of the latter to do evil is probably increased by his former connection with the American Baptist Missionary Union, in whose confidence and fellowship he is supposed by some to abide. "Mr. Mönster's connection with the Missionary Union was closed in 1846, first by act of Mr. Oncken and his associates in the German mission, and next by vote of the executive committee, approving the same on a careful revision of the facts of the case. It is with great reluctance I make this communication, and only from a sense of duty, and in hope that it may help to lessen any embarrassments which Mr. Mönster may be disposed to throw in the way of Mr. Förster's usefulness. We sympathize in this dear brother's labors and trials, and rejoice in all the success with which God has been pleased to bless his ministry. With great regard, I am dear brother, sincerely Catholic priest, in SILESIA, without any redress from the authorities. The clergy of the state churches-those enemies of civil and religious liberty-are doing all in their power to regain their half-lost ground, and from this quarter we cannot expect any mercy. We must, therefore, now stretch every nerve, and labor with greater zeal and self-denial than ever before. The circumstances demand this ;-pray for us, that the love of Christ may constrain us to it. "We have recently engaged again two brethren as missionaries, to be supported by the united churches of our denomination in the north-west of Germany. One of these brethren is at WISMAR, where he labors with success; the other is with us at Hamburg, where he receives some instruction, whilst, at the same time, he preaches twice and three times every week. "I immersed, a fortnight ago, eight converts at WISMAR. Six were, last Lord's-day, added to us by this solemn ordinance, and others have since applied. One hundred and twelve believers have been added to the church at HAMBURG, by baptism, this year. But I trust we shall yet see greater things." Brother Oncken again recommends the cause to the liberality of English friends, "in as much," he says, "as our sphere of labor is extending on every hand." PRUSSIA. MR. J. W. PARKER, of Cambridgeport, United States, who has lately visited Ger- on correct principles, Brother Oncken was many and Denmark, says, in a letter dated detained from the meeting by an illness, July 16, 1849, to brethren in America, "If induced by our journey to Denmark. Bromore than heretofore can be appropriated to ther Lehmann was chairman, and the rest, the German mission I think there is no field except brethren Köbner and Gültzau [of where the funds can be better invested. Stettin,] were without much experience, Probably a self-sustaining interest will sooner although they earnestly desire to obey the exist here than in any part of our field. commands of God. The Scriptures are The people are quite as accessible in the truly their guide. All had with them their rural districts of France as here, but they Testaments, to which they constantly reare not quite as well provided with means; ferred. I formed a strong attachment to but of the comfortlessness of the peasantry the Prussian brethren. They seemed greatly in all these regions, an American has no con- rejoiced at my presence, and were much ception." influenced by my opinions. On all the Mr. Parker says, that "Our bethren are questions the opinion of the American bromeeting, and are [likely] to meet, greater ther was desired, before they came to a deopposition than they have had since the cision. I have never attended a meeting revolutions of 1848. They have been greatly where I felt the responsibility so great, and multiplied, and perhaps on that account the perhaps never did more for the cause of more deeply hated, and the more bitterly Christ, than in the week at Stettin. Would persecuted. But there are some men among that the opportunity had fallen in the way them who will not abate one declaration of of one more competent, but I have done the the word for liberty or for life. Their bap- best I could." tisms are still in the night, and apart from Mr. Lehmann writing, July 26, stated any public place. While [I was] at Stettin that the church at Berlin enjoyed constant the pastor and a few brethren stole away prosperity. The meetings were well filled; down the Oder a mile or two, and then several new converts had applied for bappassed up into the mouth of a small stream, tism, and sixteen had been received into the where, under the cover of a fading twilight, church within the last quarter. and the care of our heavenly Father, he baptized three on profession of their faith in Christ." FRANCE. Speaking of the meeting of the Prussian THE American Baptist Missionary MaBaptist Association, which had then just gazine for September, contains a letter from closed, he says, "This session was the Mr. Willard, of Douai, dated July 9th, in second; the first gave rise to the great which he mentioned the baptism of fourteen meeting at Hamburg in January last. persons on May 27th, at Servais, the village There are three associations in Germany. where the brethren Lepoids, Besor, and They meet annually, and altogether once in Foulon suffered so much persecution two or three years. The recent meeting was one three years since, where the two former of great interest, as many fundamental were arrested, and sent to prison. The questions were discussed which had agitated place of baptism was a nice fosse of clean the churches, and some which had been dis- water, in the garden of Mr. Courty, owner cussed, but not settled, at the previous of the chateau of Servais. The fosse sepameeting in Hamburg. At that meeting, rates the garden from the high way, and articles of faith were framed which were care was taken to send the multitude round adopted by most of the churches. All the upon the road side of the fosse. Mr. Wilchurches now in the general convention are lard says, "There were probably more than pretty well agreed, and the members sound 1000 persons, and we knew beforehand that in the faith and correct in practice. There the curé had sent them expressly to make a was, as might be supposed, some disposition disturbance. There was much groaning, to legislate for the churches. This I resisted talking, and laughing at the beginning; but strongly, and the end was an entire agree- before the work was ended, many wept. ment to, what I supposed, sound principles. The very persons who insulted and arrested The Sabbath, feast days, open communion, the brethren two years ago, were said to be the obligation of vows of marriage made there; and it so happened, that all those before regeneration, the necessity of the brethren so shamefully abused at that time, public performance of the ceremony, the were also present. The curé's plot was discipline of the church, the cause of mis- unsuccessful. The multitude who, at the sions to the heathen, the means of supplying beginning, gave signs of evil intentions, the wants of the field in Germany-all were became comparatively sober, and many who under consideration, all elicited considerable had begun to mock, turned away to hide discussion, and were in the conclusion settled their tears. God caused his ordinance to be honored, and Satan was abashed in the pre-friend, Mrs. Marshall, is doing so well with sence of his friends." JAMAICA. her little Chinese girls' school. The girls, from six to ten years old, are learning to use their needle, and making encouraging AN esteemed brother in Jamaica, in a progress in their studies. letter dated Aug. 3, 1849, says, "Amidst Some of them are the children of Chinese much proof of evil that is deplorable, but who have been converted to Christianity, not unnatural, and might have been fore- and all are daily brought under Christian seen, Jamaica is still producing, and will instruction. It is a rare thing to meet a hereafter yield, a rich harvest of immortal Chinese woman who can read. Schools are souls to Christ. Numbers have lately died everywhere found for teaching boys, but we giving most delightful evidence of meetness have never known a school established by for the inheritance of the saints in light; the Chinese for teaching girls. Were the and that there are multitudes more both benevolent to offer gratuitous instruction to living and dying, whose devotion of heart a Chinese girl, the response might be reand life to God is the result of the real and peated, which has been heard from such, abiding agency of the Spirit of God, I "I am a girl, you don't expect girls to learn can no more question, than I can doubt to read!" Christianity has much to do for the ability and willingness of Christ to China, and its influence must be brought to save. Within the few past weeks it has bear upon the female sex. Woman must been my happiness to converse with many, be raised from her present position of ignosome of whom have since gone to their rance and servitude, and fitted to take her rest and their reward, whose circumstances appropriate place in the domestic and social and experience have more than compen- circle, and discharge the duties of the sated me for all the labors, and trials, daughter, the wife, and the mother, before and sacrifices, (and they have not been few the Chinese can lay any just claim to nor unimportant) which I have endured civilization. At present, the character and during a residence of nearly twenty-five comparative rank of woman being made the years among them, for their good ;-more standard, the Chinese, with all their boasted than this, I will say, that the results of learning, and claim to "Central Kingdom," missionary labor as connected with our own and "celestial origin," are, after all, little society, equally with that of other denomi- above the savage state! Chinese women are nations of christians, for I dare not disparage excluded from schools of learning-from the the success of any, is more than equal to the domestic board, and from the social circle. value of all the money and life that have To restore them to their place, and fit been expended for missionary and other them for their station, they need instrucbenevolent purposes upon our shores. At tion; not necessarily in the English lanthe same time much precious seed lies guage; but in their own-they need to be buried in the earth that will yet germinate, taught the duties of domestic life, and the while, if a little longer fostered by British responsibility of their office, as the mother christians, I am persuaded Jamaica will yet of the family-the model of the youngbe that, as to christian character, in future the moulder of society. days, if not in its fullest degree, of which in It is too much to expect that this work past days she gave such glorious promises. of instruction will be undertaken by people "I have just concluded our usual August of the world, unaided by christian love, and meetings, and can truly say, that amidst all the enduring principle of pious zeal. Civilour poverty, and defection, and troubles in ization must be preceded by Christianity, general, my heart has been greatly cheered and Christianity must be promoted by those by the evidences I have seen that God has not who feel its power, and cherish its hopes; forgotten us, if our friends in England have. and neither Christianity nor civilization can "Our assemblages of children, in our day in truth be said to have made any great and Sabbath-schools-our anti-slavery meet-advancement in a country, while the women ings, and those of a more decidedly religious of that country are kept in ignorance and character, have been most interesting, and degradation. equally, if not more numerously attended than for several years past." CHINA. From Mr. Dean, American Baptist Hong Kong, Sept. 27, 1849. The work of elevating them to their proper place in society, putting into their hands the power of doing good, pointing them to the home of the happy here, and the heaven of the good hereafter, is a work peculiarly calculated to call forth the sympathies and benevolent efforts of their own sex in Christian lands. The labors of Mrs. Marshall and her Of Mrs. Stock's character, the writer will not attempt any elaborate description. Her excellencies were too well known to those who had the privilege of enjoying her friendship, to render such details necessary for their information, and it is for them principally, that this memoir is composed. The writer cannot forbear stating, however, that during the ten years of his acquaintance with the dear deceased, he never once saw her betrayed into a passion, or even into feelings bordering upon such a state; and yet he has often seen her brought into circumstances which were peculiarly trying. Would that all ministers and ministers' wives more closely resembled her in this particular! In the social and domestic virtues, she peculiarly excelled, and in the management of her household affairs, ever exhibited a spirit of prudence and economy. It was from the first her determination to owe no man anything, and from this principle, she never deviated. Happy would it have been for some ministers of Jesus, if their companions had practically carried out the same determination. May the writer be permitted to add another statement? Mrs. Stock never brought her husband, or any other individual into trouble, by an imprudent use of her tongue. She knew when to be silent. And should this memoir be read by a youthful minister of the cross, who is looking round him for a suitable companion, let him take this friendly caution:-Above all things, beware of uniting yourself to a gossip, for be sure such a wife would utterly ruin your usefulness. But we must not further enlarge; but will close this brief notice, honor of the excellencies of the departed, by ascribing to the grace of God all the and by exhorting our readers to be followers of them, who now "through faith and patience inherit the promises." JOHN STOCK. Salendine Nook. Letters. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. and a careful exclusion of all those sub To the Editors of the Primitive Church lime and glorious Scriptures which so Magazine. DEAR SIRS, -Having a near relative, who many years since was a fellowmember with me of a Strict Baptist church, professing Trinitarian principles, and the doctrines of distinguishing grace, but has recently embraced Unitarian sentiments, I have had several very painful discussions with him, on the most important and essential doctrine of the Trinity; which, though above our comprehension, is nevertheless emphatically revealed in the Scriptures of truth. These fatal sentiments were embraced on hearing only one Unitarian sermon, delivered, of course, with much plausibility and human reasoning; and the texts adduced for their support, being a cautious selection of those passages which refer more particularly to the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, fully exemplify his absolute Godhead, and his co-equality with the Father. As there is reason to fear that this is not an isolated instance, of persons who are not well-established in the truth, being drawn aside by these plausible, but pernicious errors, it has been much impressed on my mind, that it would be, under the divine blessing, a very important and beneficial work if some of your able correspondents would take up this most solemn subject, including the Persons, work, offices, and characters of the Triune Jehovah, as revealed in Person, offices, characters, and Sonship the Scriptures; but particularly the of our adorable Saviour, as GOD and MAN. Sound and consistent views of truth vealed in the Scriptures; but any senare most desirable on every subject retiment affecting the Godhead of our gracious Redeemer, and thereby, so far as that sentiment is really received, one thing, that one day is with the rendering our salvation an impossibility, Lord as a thousand years, and a thouis a subject so important, and so vastly sand years as one day. The Lord is solemn, that no pains should be thought not slack concerning his promise, as too great to arrive at the meaning of some men count slackness," (see ver. the Holy Spirit, in the Scriptures, on 4-7,) "but is long-suffering to us-ward, this most essential doctrine. not willing that any should perish," &c. The distinguished apostle Paul says, Should there not be the following words "Great is the mystery of godliness, added:-But is long suffering to usGod manifest in the flesh;" and if the ward, not willing that any (OF US) subject was to him a mystery, how vain should perish; but that all (or US) would it be in us to attempt at compre- should come to repentance? hending it. Nevertheless, we may adopt the language of Dr. Watts, viz.: "Where reason fails with all her powers, There faith prevails, and love adores." Trusting these few remarks may induce some able correspondent to favor us with the testimony of Scripture on this important doctrine, whereby the minds of many readers be enlightmay ened and established therein, I remain yours in christian affection, Dec. 8, 1849. A TRINITARIAN. I am aware of the threatening denounced against those who add to God's words: Rev. xxii. 18; therefore I feel the more anxious to be sure whether I am warranted in reading the verse as I have marked it above. As it now stands in our version, it does not appear to me to correspond with the revealed will of God; for if it be not according to his will that any of the family of Adam should perish, I cannot reconcile the fact of the greater part of mankind going to hell. "For who hath resisted his will?" Rom. ix. 19. " None is able to withstand thee:" 2 Chron. xx. 6. "Behold he taketh away, who can hinder him?" Job. ix. 12. "He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhaDOES GOD WILL THE SALVATION OF bitants of the earth; and none can stay [We unite with "A Trinitarian," in inviting our correspondents to take up the above subject. A well written paper would be very acceptable.—EDS.] ALL MEN? his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Dan. iv. 35. MY DEAR BRETHREN,- Knowing If it be not the will of God that any that the Primitive Church Magazine is person should perish, on what principle the channel to convey truth, I have can I account for any dying unprepared ventured to send the following scrip- for heaven? God said, "My counsel ture, with a request that some of your shall stand, and I will do all my pleaable Greek correspondents will please to sure." Surely no person can go to hell, offer their opinions upon it, and inform if it be the will of God that he should us if it reads precisely the same in the not perish. If God resolved to take him original, as in our English version? to heaven, how can any act of man pre2 Pet. iii. 9: "The Lord is not slack vent God doing his pleasure? concerning his promise, as some men But I forbear, as I wish to see what count slackness; but is long-suffering other Christians will say upon the mysto us-ward, not willing that any should terious subject. And I earnestly hope perish; but that all should come to the good Spirit of God will induce repentance." several of his servants to study well the This scripture is often mentioned, both subject, and enable them to speak or in preaching and writing, by the advo-write for the glory of God the Father, cates of universal redemption; yea, some- Son, and Holy Spirit. times by Calvinistic preachers, when addressing the unconverted. But it does not appear to me that the apostle ENQUIRER AFTER TRUTH. is addressing the unconverted in the "THE man who would learn only of said verse. His address is to the church. himself, has but a fool for his teacher." But, beloved, be not ignorant of this CARYLE. VOL. VII.-NO. LXXIII. C |