20 THE LATE MR. ROBERT SELF. kindly and liberally voted him the sum of forty pounds towards his support. For a time he appeared to rally. He was enabled to preach several times at Wattisham, Rattlesden, and other places in the latter part of the year 1855, and the commencement of the year 1856. The last Lord's day he was publicly engaged was at Wattisham, on the 4th of May, when in the morning he preached from John xiv, 6; in the afternoon administered the Lord's Supper; and in the evening preached from Rev. xxii, 5. The last sermon he delivered was on the evening of the 7th of May, at Stowmarket, from Rom. xiii, 11, when he felt very unwell, and quite unfit for the service. Thus ended his ministry, after being upheld for thirty-eight years as a faithful preacher of Christ's gospel, having delivered nearly nine thousand sermons! From that time his health rapidly de clined; disease had taken a strong hold of him, which baffled the skill of his medical advisers. His affliction was a very painful one; at times his pains were distressing. His nervous system, also, was much affected, so that his mind was often beclouded, which was a source of great sorrow to him. However, he frequently enjoyed the conversation of christian friends, and often testified the truths of the gospel he had so long preached were the solace and support of his mind, and although he had not that amount of enjoyment he desired, he felt satisfied of his interest in the Great Redeemer. During the latter part of August the symptoms of his complaint became much more alarming, and after being confined to his bed rather more than a week, he fell asleep in Jesus on the 6th of September, 1856. His mortal remains were interred in the cemetery at Stowmarket on the following Friday, when his esteemed friend and fellow laborer, Mr. Collins of Grundisburgh, officiated, and preached a funeral sermon at the Baptist Chapel in that town, on the next Lord's day, to a large and attentive audience, from Psa. Íxxiii, 24. Dear saint of God Farewell! we trace thy flight above, [Our late brother Reynolds was a frequent contributor to this magazine from its commencement, and one with whom we were personally and intimately connected. His doctrinal views of divine truth were clear and lucid, and, from the commencement of his ministerial career to the close, he firmly and consistently maintained them. The doctrines of distinguishing grace he fearlessly proclaimed, always blending the experimental and practical results in the lives of believers. His ministerial labors were found very profitable to many, who are still living witnesses, and in whose memory his name will live. It was his mercy to labor till nearly the close of his earthly days, and then to resign his companion, family, and friends, to the care of Him whose mercy and goodness had followed him all the days of his life.-ED.] 'The memory of the just is blessed.' THE LATE MR. ROBERT SELF, OF LONDON. THE wise man of God has said, 'The memory of the just is blessed.' Such we feel to be the memory of our late beloved brother Self. He was a native of Rendham, in Suffolk, and brought up under the ministry of that faithful preacher of the everlasting gospel, the Rev. Richard Wearing, for many years the pastor of the Independent Church in that village, and subsequently at Walpole, near Halesworth, in the same county. The parents of our friend feared the Lord, and prayerfully trained him up under the means of grace, so that he used to say, he had the fear of God before him from childhood, and therefore, although possessed of an evil heart, which inclined to the course of the prince of the power of the air,' and sometimes drew him into youthful associations which were ungodly, he never could sin so cheaply as others, nor be satisfied without reading his Bible, and frequently acknowledging God, by calling upon him for pardon and guidance. But notwithstanding these youthful checks of conscience, and these merciful preservations from gross sin, our brother did not consider himself effectually called by grace till he was nearly twenty years of age, at which time we find him residing near London, and attending with the family, with whom he then resided, upon the ministry of the late Dr. Collyer of Peckham. Under the ministry of that servant of the Lord our dear brother's soul was both wounded and healed, broken down and built up; under him he wept for sin, and rejoiced under the clear and powerful applications of forgiving mercy. Those seasons were to him like the Bethel visits to good old Jacob; they were often called to mind, were often the subjects of conversation, and frequently during his long and trying affliction, which terminated in his death, he was wont to refer to them, saying, with tears of joy in his eyes, God Almighty appeared to me at Bethel.' THE LATE MR. ROBERT SELF. In or about the year 1819, we find him residing at Ilford, in Essex, and sitting under the ministry of the late Mr. James Smith, who for many years was pastor of the Baptist Church in that village, whose rich, striking, and savory preaching will never be forgotten by those who were favored to enjoy it. Our brother Self was baptised by Mr. Smith, and added to the church in Ilford, in 1819. There he found many kindred spirits, with whom he talked, and prayed, and wept, and sung; and so fully was his heart drawn out towards the pastor and the church, that he was wont to sing • Here, to these hills, my soul would come, But our ways are not the Lord's ways. 'He leads us about, he instructs us'; and though he never leaves his children, still he leads them in paths they have not known.' Soon after this our friend married an amiable and excellent young woman, with whom he was favored to live very happily for many years, and by whom he had a family, two of which survive him. In 1829 our friend came to reside in London, and entered into business in the hackney coach hire, in which employment he continued as long as he could labor. The driver of a coach, or cab, is supposed to be a low, rough, ungodly man, and we exceedingly regret, the idea is often too correct; but we rejoice, there have been, and are now, honorable and bright exceptions, and amongst those we thankfully class our brother Self. In his character he was upright, in his language chaste, and in his habits punctual, which secured him the confidence, and, we may say, the esteem and friendship, of his regular employers, one of whom particularly manifested his kindness, not only by words, but by such acts as will never be by the family forgotten. But our beloved brother was not only enabled to keep up a good report amongst those without, but was also favored to enjoy a good degree of spirituality of mind while pursuing his daily avocation. His mind was early stored with a good degree of knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, and filled with sacred poetry. Few men were more conversant with the hymns of Watts, Hall, Doddridge, Cowper, Newton, Toplady, and others; and these the Holy Spirit of God brought up to his mind for holy musings, while he was wending his way amidst vehicles of all descriptions, and amidst noises and shoutings of all kinds, either by night or by day. Often has he, while thus employed, silently sung: "Thy precepts often I survey, And keep thy laws in sight, Through all the business of the day, To form my actions right.' Indeed, he was in this respect highly favored, and when he spoke of it, it was not in a vain, boasting manner, but with evident emotions of thankfulness for the lovingkindness of the Lord to him. When he came to reside in London, he knew not where to cast in his lot; but having joined a Baptist Church from principle, he was desirous of dwelling amongst his own people.' For a time he attended chiefly at Salter's Hall in the city, until the spring of 1832, when he was led to Little Alie Street. There he was chosen clerk, and conducted the singing for twelve or thirteen years, till his voice had become so affected with constant exposure to the open air, and frequently in the night, that he felt obliged to resign an office in which he had always felt great interest and delight. And in many respects few men were better adapted to conduct the service of praise in the house of God than Robert Self, especially as his heart delighted in singing the praises of God. Our brother united with the church in Alie Street, in 1832; at the same time his beloved wife was baptised and united with him. She continued a member till death dissolved the relationship. Her life was lovely, and her end was peace.' The union of our dear brother with us was fraught with many social and spiritual blessings. He found congenial friends, who mutually loved each other, and in the church, and under the ministry, he felt and dwelt at home. He possessed a good, sound constitution, and bid fair to arrive at a good old age; but disease began about two years ago to discover itself, and which proved of such a nature as to baffle the skill of several of the most eminent physicians. He became weak, wasted away, and for many months was scarcely able to leave his house, and at length obliged for many weeks to keep his bed, till he became enfeebled as a little child. But how can we sufficiently bless our covenant God, that amidst it all bis mind was calm, and his hope firm, upon the Rock of Ages? He had from the first been favored to know and love the truth, the precious truth, that whatsoever may befal the good man, the foundation standeth sure.' It was, therefore, a refreshing ordinance generally to visit him. Such a deep sense of his own unworthiness, weakness, and unprofitableness, with such a feeling sense of the mercy, love, and grace of God, in calling, leading, blessing, up holding, and keeping him, that the visitor and the visited generally mingled their tears together; and frequently has the writer felt, when leaving the room, How blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord.' Nearly the last visit his pastor paid him, in answer to the question as to the state of his mind, he replied, 'I have no ecstacies, but I am favored with a solid, peaceful hope, built upon the perfect work of my dear Redeemer. Satan has been lurking about these last few days, and taking advantage of my weakness, has been showing up my failings and imperfections, and the Lord knows, and my soul knows, they are many and grievous; but I bless the God of my mercy, I have been enabled to say to him, Ah, Satan! it is of no use. All that you urge is correct, and much more; but, large as the bill is, my dear Redeemer paid the whole, and more than forty years ago sent the blessed Spirit to my heart with the receipt in full of all demands. "Nor will the righteous Judge of men Which, Lord, was charged on thee!"' At the time of uttering the above expressions he was extremely weak, and gradually sinking. He peacefully fell asleep in Jesus, October 8th, 1856, in the sixty-second year of his age. His beloved second wife, who contributed so much to his happiness and comfort during his latter years, and especially during his long affliction, survives to mourn her loss, LONGING TO DEPART. When will these gloomy hours be past, Could I but hear my Jesus' voice, also two affectionate daughters. May our merciful God be a Father to the fatherless, and the Judge of the widow.' In reviewing the life of our brother, we are shown there is no station in life where godliness may not shine, where the heart is right with God. Robert Self drove a cab in the streets of London; yet while driving that cab, walked closely with God; and though he could not associate with those of his calling, yet he was greatly respected by them. Another thing we admire: our brother was enabled to distinguish between the changeableness of the believer's feelings and the fixedness of his state, according to the purposes of God; his interest in the perfect work of Christ, and the promise of Jehovah respecting the completion of the work begun. Hence he says, 'I have no ecstacies, but a firm, peaceful hope.' May the Holy Spirit bless the reading of the above memorial to the peace and happiness of some trembling child of God, and the glory of his holy name. Since the commencement of 1856, death has visited us ten times. We may just add what our brother repeatedly said during his death illness: 'I never saw and felt so much of the importance and value of personal religion, as I have since I have been lying here.' He therefore urged upon his pastor to insist much upon the solemnity of personal religion. Poetry. ANN SMITH. PHILIP DICKERSON. "THE RISING SUN.' 'Unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings.'— MATT. iii. Strictly Truth is ever consistent-secret with revealedrevealed with palpable. This phraseology is an adaptation to ordinary impressions. speaking, the sun never rises or sets, but the world that rolls towards or away from its beams. Even so of the soul. It is we who depart from the Lord-lack affection-and experience the cold and darkness of his hidden face. THE glorious Sun that rules our day, And sink at length beyond our sight! His throne is fix'd, he always shines, "Tis earth's more transient form that shows Declension in its daily lines. Just so the Sun of Righteousness, Whose beauteous beams are ever bright; Is hidden when we change our place, And turn from him-then all is night! W. J. B. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. Reviews and Criticism. A Treatise on Walking with God. By the celebrated ANN DUTTON; to which is prefixed her Memoir, written by herself; with Portrait, and Preface by J. A. JONES. London: J. Paul, Chapter House Court. WE have read with an unusual amount of interest and pleasure this valuable book of the late Ann Dutton, and give it a hearty welcome to a place among the choicest books we possess. It is a rich collection of gospel truths beautifully put together, all bearing upon the subject in question, showing how God, the triune God, comes to us, and walks with us in Christ and 23 through the truths of Christ, and how the Holy Spirit, by his great and gracious work, fits the sons of God to walk with their heavenly Father -the influence, advantages, and blessedness of this to pilgrims. We are obliged to our aged brother Jones-in his seventy-eighth year-for this important service rendered to the church of God, and are sure that none of the dear children of God can sit down to a careful reading of this excellent book, without receiving much profit. We sincerely desire for this messenger of mercy a very wide circulation. Its value is very, very far beyond its cost. Religious Intelligence. Baptisms, Recognitions, etc. CLARE, SUFFOLK. On Sunday, November 30th, three females were baptized by Mr. J. Pells, Pastor, one as a seal to his ministry, and two others for a neighboring church. The chapel was crowded, and great attention was paid to the discourse founded on Acts viii, 5, 12. We hope to give an extract from the sermon in a future number of our Magazine. BAPTIST CHAPEL, HOWE STREET, PLYMOUTH. MR. EDITOR-As many of your contributors and friends have preached the gospel to us here, doubtless they will be glad to know how we are getting on. I therefore send you an account of Ordination, and Anniversary Services. We were favored to have that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. J. Foreman, of Mount Zion Chapel, London, to conduct the ordination services, in connection with the settlement of Mr. W. Bull (late of Burgh, Lincolnshire) as pastor over us. On Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 25th, Mr. Foreman stated the nature of a Gospel Church, taking the account given in the 2nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles as a model; after which the usual questions relative to our calling Mr. Bull to the pastorate, and his acceptance thereof, were asked, and replied to. A remark of our esteemed friend, Mr. Foreman, was much to the point here, that it was well for persons before marriage to understand each other's heart and mind, and to be fully agreed, that there be no falling out afterward. The marriage service concluded, we separated till the evening, when Mr. Foreman delivered to his brother, Mr. Bull, and to all present, a very faithful, powerful, and truthful address, from Eph. iv. 11. On Thursday evening, Mr. Foreman preached to the church from Eph. iv. 3, in the course of which he gave us some excellent advice, ably expounding his text and the three following verses, clearly showing forth the unity of the Trinity, and the work of each person, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in the economy of salvation. On the intermediate day (Wednesday Nov. 26th), we held our Second Anniversary in the chapel, when upwards of two hundred sat down to tea. After tea, a public meeting presided over by our pastor, Mr. Bull, which being opened with singing and prayer, was addressed by brethren Turner, Easterbrook, Westlake, and Foreman. I believe it was a very profitable time to all I can say for myself it was good to be there, and feel that whilst we have much to contend with, we have much to be thankful for. Pray for us, brethren, that the dear Lord may continue to bless us, and prosper his servant in our midst. Amen. Yours, in the hope of the gospel, Plymouth, Dec. 9, 1856. SIMON HILL. SALEM CHAPEL, CHURCH STREET, STOKE NEWINGTON. A friendly Tea Meeting took place at the above place of worship, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 26th, for the purpose of bringing the church into a closer and more personal acquaintance with the pastor, at the same time, hoping that good might be done. The church gave a gratuitous invitation to the seat-holders and others worshipping with them to meet their new pastor, Mr. Wm. Davey, and take tea with him and them on that occasion. Messrs. Bloomfield of Meard's Court, Soho; Pepper of Newington; Green, and Edgcombe were present; Messrs. Milner of Keppel Street, and Palmer of Homerton, promised to be present also, but illness in the one case, and forgetfulness in the other, deprived the friends of their company. The meeting was a cheerful and happy one. The addresses, though unpremeditated and chosen from hints thrown out in the opening addresses by the pastor, were for the most part pertinent and in good taste. Mr. Bloomfield was quite at home in his feelings, and his address (touching upon the character and signs of a healthy church) clear and concise. He was followed by Mr. Edgcombe, who having engaged in prayer to some extent after the opening addresses of the pastor, con 24 MONTHLY RECORD OF PASSING EVENTS. ceived that his portion of the business of the evening was done, and had in no way contemplated the call, but neither the subject or man was used up, and therefore some half hour was profitably and pleasantly employed by him. Mr. Pepper wound up the evening in his own cheerful way and the pastor concluded by_prayer. The severity of the evening prevented many of the friends from being present, but about sixty or seventy sat down to tea, and the little chapel was well filled during the addresses. Monthly Record of Passing Events. THE NEW BISHOP OF LONDON.-This Prelate was 6 enthroned' Dec. 4, at St. Paul's Cathedral, with all the mummeries attending such a ceremony, yet he has already shown that he is superior to the pomp of his official station, by a speech at Islington, on Church Extension. He spoke then like a man who has at heart the spiritual welfare of the people, and warmly commended the humble efforts of those who have no consecrated edifice in which to pursue their labors. He expressed his delight at hearing that in Islington, a cattle-shed, a garden, even an omnibus-yard, had been used for the preaching of Christ's gospel. In that there the praises of God were sung in as true and hearty a manner as in any cathedral in the land. Yet, doubtless, this same Prelate would repudiate Voluntaryism as a principle, while thus commending its practical development. THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE.-The Rev. S. Manning of Frome, is announced as the new editor of this periodical, in which various changes and improvements are promised. Mr. J. C. Middleditch of the same town is appointed Secretary of the Baptist Irish Society, and has resigned his pastoral charge at that place. Dr. Campbell has resigned the editorship of the British Banner, and announces the publication of a new weekly newspaper, to be called the British Standard, and to be 'independent of all proprietary bodies, committees, and contractors.' THE DENISON CASE.-The Dean of the Court of Arches, Sir J. Dodson, has declined to entertain the appeal made to his court against the late sentence of the Archbishop, but refers the matter to the Privy Council the last resource of the Tractarians in this case, but for which, in the Gorham affair, no words were too contemptuous. Mr. Maurice of Broad Church' notoriety, has written to express his opinion that subscription to the articles of the Church of England does and should involve no profession of faith, but only a general recognition' of the sentiments of those who framed them! east to west in a journey of eleven thousand miles previously untrodden by the feet of an European. On Tuesday, Dec. 16, he received a public welcome at the Freemasons Hall, London, Lord Shaftesbury presiding; Sir R. Murchison, Col. Rawlinson, Sir Culling Eardley, Dr. Vaughan, and Messrs. Binney and Burnet attended and took part in the proceedings. Dr. Livingstone, in reply to the resolution of welcome, spoke with great natural eloquence of the climate, resources, and inhabitants of Central Africa, which he has thus for the first time laid open to European Missionary and commercial enterprise. In the evening of the same day, he dined with one hundred other gentleman at the Milton Club. Alderman Challis, M.P., presided. In scientific attainments, as well as in purity and godliness of character, this lion-hearted man is surpassed by few. Without force or fraud, he succeeded in gaining an ascendancy over the negro tribes, which extends almost throughout the entire continent. He has announced his intention of returning to Africa in April next, in accordance with a promise made when he left the scene of his missionary labors. On the BAPTIST LATITUDINARIANISM. occasion of the re-opening of West Orchard Street Chapel, Coventry, Mr. Rosevear, Baptist Minister of that town, made a series of remarks against what he termed Denominational Sectarianism. He wanted his audience not to teach men to utter the Shibboleth of their respective sects, and then to send them forth in one beaten path. This would be to substitute a human institution for a Divine life. Let that life throw itself into as many organisations as it please, provided it conforms in spirit to the mind of Christ. He who in his meditations and prayers drinks into the spirit of the Bible, and in his labors aims at the ennoblement of man, cannot have a very bad creed. He may not be true to the theological books written centuries ago, but he will be true to the living word, etc. This mode of setting the 'spirit' of the word of God against its doctrinal truths, we believe to be most pernicious, nor can we admit that the spirit can be retained if the truths are disowned and denied. |