may know it-that the Baptist Church under the pastoral care of our beloved brother Chamberlain, can say, individually and collectively, "Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thine help I've come." Blessed be God we are at peace among ourselves; and I believe there is a striving toge ther, and an endeavouring to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Our beloved pastor is sometimes cast down, because he cannot see the fruit of his labours; I suppose it is because he cannot behold the thick trees come tumbling down as often as he lifts up the axe of God's Word against them: but I would have our brother remember the observation the cooper made to his pastor, who was bemoaning the lack of fruits; the good man replied, that there were many woodmen who could cut down the sturdy oak in the forest, but it required greater skill to form the oak into casks for use. So there are two grand points in the gospel ministry: the one to cut down and the other to build up; but God does not always allot to each of his servants both kinds of work. The acorn may long lie buried beneath the clod, but eventually there shall be an abundant harvest: "He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Let our brother C. take courage, and not reckon without his host; the God of Israel is our host, and he reckoneth wisely, he judgeth righteous judgment. I would say to him and to Br. Bloomfield, and to all who blow the gospel trumpet with a certain sound, in the language of that good Swaine : man, Of truth divine, to smite the pow'r of sin; And draws his bow with this fair mark in view Glory to God-salvation to mankind." O, there is a sweet similarity in what they said in heaven with what they say on earth, "and again they said, Allelujah!" and again We say, "Ebenezer !" Your's in Jesus, S. S. P.S.-On the following Tuesday evening, Jan. 15, our usual quarterly tea meeting took place our pastor presided; several ministers addressed the meeting; and I trust the evening was spent not without some tokens of the Lord's approbation. EBENEZER CHAPEL, THE third annual meeting, to commemorate the ordination of our pastor, Mr. T. Chivers, was held December 28, 1855. Mr. Bloomfield preached in the afternoon, after which, a goodly number sat down to a well prepared tea. The meeting in the evening commenced by singing and prayer, our senior deacon then read a report of the Lord's goodness towards us through the past year, showing that our promise making, and promise fulfilling God is still falthful, inasmuch as he has continued to bless his own word, as proclaimed by our pastor, to the comforting and establishing his people in the truth; also to the calling others out of darkness into his marvellous light, and constraining them by his love to cast in their lot among us, saying, we will go with you for have been added to our number in the past we believe that God is with you. Twenty year, peace and unity hath also been maintained among us, which we esteem a blessing from the Lord. The following ministers then addressed the meeting on given subjects, in a cheerful, yet soul-profiting manner: brethren Foreman, Wells, Winslow and Bloomfield; each one congratulating us as a church, in our present position, stating that they felt a pleasure in meeting us again on the same principles of truth, with the same pastor, the same deacons, and without the least deviation from the same doctrines we held when they were with us at our ordination. A spirit of unity amongst the ministers, and rejoicing amongst the congregation (which was numerous) was manifested throughout the evening, and some said it was the best meeting we ever had. It is indeed a matter of joy to us as a church, especially to pastor and deacons, that we have been thus kept together in peace and unity, "striving together for the faith once delivered to the saints," having no other object in view than the glory of God, and the welfare of immortal souls. Our prayer is that our pastor may still be kept faithful to his mission as heretofore, in proclaiming the whole counsel of God, and we feel sure the Lord will put honour upon his own truth, for he has said, "He that honoureth me I will honour." Tuesday Jan. 1, 1856, we held our members' annual tea meeting, when most of the church assembled together, after partaking of a beautiful tea, our pastor opened the meeting by a short address, stating the pleasure it afforded him in again meeting with us, in peace and fellowship as a church, acknowledged the Lord's goodness toward him throughout the past year, in granting him health and ability to proclaim among us the unsearchable riches of Christ; after which, nine or ten of the brethren spoke of the goodness of the Lord toward them all through their lives, especialty of his mercy in stopping their mad career of sin, and bringing them to his feet to cry for mercy, declaring that they rejoiced that they were brought to cast in their lot among us. It was truly an encouraging meeting for our pastor to go on proclaiming the truth as it is in Jesus. May the Lord grant us many such if it be his will, and he shall have all the praise. W. STRINGER. PASTOR AND PEOPLE UNITED and happy, at COLCHESTER, IN ESSEX. THE church meeting in the Bible Room, Lion Walk, has, during the past year, been favored to enjoy a relieving shower of Hermon's fructifying dews; the north and south winds have blown upon this garden of the Lord-the result being, the precious spices of grace have flowed forth, to the glory of Zion's King. Zion's children,-the poor, the halt, the destitute and helpless-have, with joy, fed On New Year's Day a pleasing event occured. About forty of the members met and drank tea at the residence of one of the deacons (Mr. Chisnell) in the sweetest harmony; the friends, truly members of one family, enjoyed a cup of tea. After tea the 103rd Psalm was sung; an aged brother then engaged in prayer; at the close of which a brother begged permission to speak. He said that in consequence of hearing his esteemed pastor remark, some months ago, that he should like to obtain a copy of Dr. Kitto's Bible, he had privately asked some of the friends to assist him in getting it; and was happy to inform them he had succeeded, and now would hand it over to their deacon, to present it to Mr. Collins. Mr. Chisnell observed it was with feelings of pleasure he met the friends under such happy circumstances; and with expressions of great kindness presented Mr. Collins with the work, in two handsome volumes; remarking, it was a testimony of their sincere affection. Mr. Collins said language quite failed him to express his sense of the great and undeserved kindness of his friends, thus shewn in such a valuable form. He would accept the favour as an additional testimony of their earnest love to the precious gospel of Christ, and a pledge of their union to the ministry the Lord had committed to him. Mr. C. then gave an interesting sketch of the life of Dr. Kitto; and stated the manner in which the Lord was pleased to bring him to Colchester; he then reviewed the dealings of the Lord with them during the past year, in gladdening their hearts by the revival of his work, and blessing them with that peace, union and prosperity which now prevails. Several of the brethren gave vent, in stirring words, to the feelings of their hearts, expressive of their astonishment at the work of the Lord, and provoking one another to love and good works. This cheering meeting was then closed with singing and prayer; forming one of the happiest seasons of our earthly existence. We are glad to say that the VESSEL is sailing amongst us; and has been the means of picking up some of the Lord's people who were in deep waters, so that they have been led to rejoice in God their Saviour. May our Lord go on to bless us, and all his W. EASLEA. church, is the prayer of Jan. 6, 1856. REHOBOTH CHAPEL, HORSHAM, SUSSEX. DEAR SIR,-I have pleasure in informing you of the continued peace and prosperity of the church of God under the pastoral care of our dear pastor, Mr. E. Mote; who baptised, on Lord's-day, December 30th, two believers in Jesus, who appeared before the church to give a reason of the hope that was in them, which was done satisfactory. Mr. M. took for subject, Acts ii. 41. We had some good sound remarks, and God evidently blessed the testimony to many present. The new candidates were received into full communion the next Lord's-day. How great the grace is, who can tell? CHARLESWORTH, DERBYSHIRE. January, 1856. ZOAR CHAPEL, PEACOCK STREET, GRAVESEND. THE annual tea meeting was held on Monday, January 7th, 1856. Nearly 200 sat down to tea; after which the evening's sweet and solemn exercises was opened by singing an hymn, and our brother Mr. Mede, solemnly implored the presence and blessing of the Lord on all present, the chapel being crowded with an attentive audience. Mr. Stringer then gave a brief report of the progress and prosperity of the cause during the past four years and a half he has been among them-in which time he has baptised fifty-five persons on the confession of their faith, and five are now candidates for baptism; so that the members of the church (under the blessing and power of God) have increased from twelve to seventy-two. "What hath God wrought ?" Our brother Lingley, from Meopham, then gave us a sweet and profitable address on "The grace of God." A verse was sung; when our brother Foreman gave us a delightful, solemn and interesting address on "The greatness of God." Another verse was sung; and our brother Neville, from Sutton-atHone, gave us a grave, good and gladdening address on "The goodness of God." A verse was sung again; and our brother Nichols, from Chelsea, gave us a warm, cheerful, soulexhilerating address on "The glory of God." A few remarks followed by Mr. Stringer, on these plain, precious and profitable subjects; an hymn was sung, the throne addressed, and everyone went peaceably, cheerfully and joy. fully to their respective habitations. Let persons oppose tea meetings to what extent they please; but if they be not too frequent, and are orderly and consistently conducted, they are calculated to aid the financial department of the cause, to increase gospel union among real saints, to profit and edify immortal souls, and to bring a revenue of honour, praise and glory to our great and glorious Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. "United thus in faith and love, In all good works may we abound; Till call'd to join the church above, And with eternal life be crown'd." T. STRINGER. Ah, my brother," he said, "that promise has not worn out that the Lord spake to me thirty years ago;" remarking, "I am still supported." It is remarkable how little he was troubled about earthly things, but still he seemed to care for Zion; he seemed still to have its welfare at heart; and he expressed but very little desire to get better. I read Psalm xxvii. and prayed with him, and at parting he put out his hand and said, "Good bye, my brother, good bye, my brother, this has been a refreshing season." I thought I should have seen him again, but I was prevented. A little while before his departure, he bid them all in the room good bye and shook hands with them, and was heard to say, "Happy!-Happy!-Glorious!" and. seemed as though he wanted to repeat that hymn, "All hail the power of Jesu's name." He made several efferts, but was so low that he could not be heard distinct. In alluding to his children who were absent, he said, "Tell them that I am going to glory." Thus you see the Lord has again broke into our ranks: three members have been removed from us during the last nine months. The Lord has spoken thrice to us; and, oh, that the Lord may gather others to fill up their places in the church here below. It is rather remarkable, that for five years and a half there were no deaths in the church, and the last nine months three should have been removed. Believe me your's truly in the W. WILSON, Pastor. Lord, Wooburn Green, Bucks., Jan. 20, 1856. SAMUEL CARTER. On Friday, the 7th of December, 1855, died at his residence, Gravesend, in the 94th year of his age, Mr. SAMUEL CARTER, an old disciple. He was the first ever baptised, and received into church communion, in the Old Baptist Meeting in that place. Being removed by Providence, to the Borough of Southwark, he became a member of Unicorn Yard Meeting, Tooley-street, then under the pastoral care of Mr. Thomas Hutchings; was a member of that church upwards of 40 years, and filled the office of deacon for several years, and "walked worthy (both as member and deacon) of the high vocation wherewith he was called." Memorials of Departed Saints. After filling a situation in the service of Dawson MR. DULLEY. MY BELOVED BROTHER:-I have mournful news to tell you. Our dear brother Dulley departed this life at six o'clock on Tuesday last, to join the church triumphant above. He could not converse much during his affliction, (but his mind appeared calm, happy, and composed,) on account of his throat being so sore and his cough so very trying, and for the last few days he had the thrush, so that he could only whisper. The last time that I saw him he was very comfortable in his mind. and Sons, in Southwark, now in the Old Jewry, City, 53 years, as a most faithful, honest, servant, the now present head partner, and his master, considering his age, and infirmity drawing on, kindly and to his honor, settled a pension of 10s. per week, which he has received, with many other kind tokens of respect, without intermission for this 18 or 20 years. This gave place to his removal to Meopham, Kent, from thence to Gravesend, where he ended his days, and died in peace; giving every one who witnessed his last three or four days, a full satisfaction that he has entered that place where "the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." REVIEWS. The Baptist Churches of the Midland Asso ciation. WE certainly feel a curious and special interest in the rise and progress of all those churches in whose midst the ark of the covenant, and the standard of the cross is found. With this feeling we have looked into a neat little volume just issued, entitled, "The History of the Midland Association of the Baptist Churches, from its rise in 1655 to 1855, &c. By WILLIAM STOKES. The volume is published by R. Theobald, Paternoster Row; and in Birmingham, by T. W. Showell. The excellent author, Mr. William Stokes, of Newall's Buildings, Manchester, will forward a copy per post to any direction. We know but little, from personal acquaintance, of the real character and condition of the churches in the midland counties; but this volume will furnish us, and the Christian family generally, with a large amount of information, illustrative of the principles and practices of these Midland Churches. We are safe in saying the author has rendered great service in the production of this volume. It will be found exceedingly useful to young pastors, and to the deacons and leading members of churches who are not favoured to have such ministers settled over them as well understand the government and domestic arrangements of a Christian community. To such persons, as a book of reference, this volume will be constantly useful. The volume contains an Essay on Creeds, Historical Articles, Sketches of Churches, Memoirs of Ministers, Letters to Associations, Confessions of Faith, and a host of other supplementaries. We hope more closely to examine the work another day. "The Life of Martin Luther." By M. Michelet. Translated by G. H. Smith. London published by W. H. Collingridge, City Press, Long Lane. We shall never lack a supply of good books any more while Mr. Collingridge lives, and "the City Press," and "the Bonmahon Printing School" are so prolific. We have frequently wished that we could do for the Church what some men are doing for the world: that is, to issue some of the best of works at the lowest possible prices; so that the Christian cottager might have his library, as well as the Christian gentleman. This desideratum is now fast accomplishing. The present edition of Martin Luther is of a superior character. The Introduction says, "Hitherto all that has been shown of Luther is his battle with Rome. We give his whole life, his struggles, doubts, temptation, consolations," &c., &c. Martin Luther will never die so long as such pencil portraits and typographical memoirs of him, as this, are in existence. We should cheerfully write a few chapters on his life, and draw out some of the most prominent features of his character, for the benefit of that large class of our readers who cannot even purchase this cheap edition; but tossed upon the wild tempest as we are, we must make no promises. The Destructive Art of Healing;" a sequel to the "Fallacies of the Faculty." By Samuel Dickson, M.D. Fourth Edition enlarged. London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co. Doctors of Medicine, as well as Doctors and it appears to be as hard a problem as to of Divinity, are all at war one with another; what will cure the body, as it is, with tens of thousands, an agitated question, as to what will cure the soul. This half-crown royal octavo is hardly in our line; but it comes to us neatly clothed, and asks, "Can you speak a kind word for me?" Our answer is this"We will carefully hear, good Dr. Dickson, what you have to say; and to the best of our ability we will speak." From a hasty glance, we believe this a pamphlet of great value, to persons who have any regard for their outward man. JAMES RAYNSFORD's gone to join the host Lament, ye Christians, not for him, Lament, because that brilliant star, Now from your view is gone. Lament, because the star is set, And hidden from your sight; Lament, believers, who have felt The glorious truths he preach'd; Lament, because the Lord removes JOHN BISH. MAZZAROTH: OR, THE TWELVE SIGNS IN THE BIBLICAL HEAVENS. were historical and figurative portraits of the characters who make up the visible church, or working family of mankind, on earth; and a close attention to the Biblical account of their origin, possessions, works, and ways, may be useful. Rachel was Jacob's lawful, loving, only wife. Two things may be prefaced here. JOSEPH and BENJAMIN were the only sons of that union; and while of all the other sons, most remarkable events are recorded, still, the most exalted blessings were poured upon the heads of Joseph and Benjamin. The sickness and death of Mr. Skelton; and other unavoidable labors, compel me to defer "THE NAMES OF JACOR'S SONS," until next month. I will therefore close this month, with the following remarks, respecting THE LATE WILLIAM SKELTON. MY LAST INTERVIEW WITH BROTHER SKELTON-HIS DEATH-AND A BRIEF RECORD OF THE FIRST WEEK'S WORK AFTER REACHING MY FIFTIETH YEAR. I LEFT my reader, last month, at the en- THE TWELVE TRIBES-for these twelve sons trance of a brief review of "THE FIRST SIGN-the Twelve Sons of Jacob." That Jacob and his sons were representative, or typical characters, is not, I believe, disputed. Benjamin Keach says, Jacob was a type of Christ, in four particulars. I think our good friend Benjamin is rather meagre here; still he leads me to observe, 1, As a supplanter, Jacob put Esau aside, and took his place; and there is a sense in which our Lord took the place of another. His church might be said to be cast into prison, as a transgressor; and being found guilty, the sentence of death was passed upon her; the curse of a broken law laid upon her; and the sword of Divine Justice was unsheathed, and hanging over her head, Jesus, the Godman, comes to her help. He enters the dungeon where the church did lay. He takes off her prison garments, and clothes himself with the same. He takes her curse, her sin, her shame, her wrath, her death, her all that was dreadful-delivers her from death, by laying down his life - by pouring out his soul-by the shedding of his blood-and by receiving, instead of her, the black, the bitter cup of wrath: hence the great Doctor of Divinity, in the first apostolic churches, dared to write such golden letters, such glorious sentences, such undeniable words of life as these " There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Last Lord's-day morning, I commenced my Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after fifty-first year; and I hope ever to remember the Spirit." "Christ hath redeemed us that day with gratitude to the Giver of all from the curse of the law, being made a that is good. So many Scriptures that morneurse for us." And these declarations, or ing rolled into my mind, and such holy beaunew covenant doctrines, were as clearly re- ties appeared to be revealed by them, that I vealed, and as fully stated by the prophets, discourse. At the appointed time, I walked could fix upon none long enough to frame a as by the apostle. Isaiah's 53rd chapter, and Paul's 8th to the Romans, are in nowise few moments before I entered the pulpit these on steadily to chapel, in deep meditation; a different. SUBSTITUTION, as the procuring words came with a certainty to my soul--cause of SALVATION, was Paul's theme; it" By me if any man enter in, HE SHALL BE was was no less Isaiah's. He says of the SAVED; and shall go in and out, and find suffering Saviour "He hath borne our pasture." These served for a morning's text; griefs, and carried our sorrows: he was and a good degree of liberty was enjoyed. wounded for our transgressions; he was Our Lord Jesus Christ, as the mediatorial bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement Door of entrance into the covenant of graceof our peace was upon him: WITH HIS into the worship of God-into the visible STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. THE LORD HATH church-and into fellowship with the saints; LAID UPON HIM THE INIQUITIES OF US ALL." "the certainty of our salvation, and the blessed privilege of finding pasture-(some sweet rest the banquetting house, or called to go out in and holy food)-whether favored to go into the labors of love and the fightings of faiththese were the things spoken of, and I hope enjoyed. These were borne away; and by him life and immortality were brought to light. In a multitude of instances, Jacob's typical character might be noticed; but I wish to advance one step forward, and examine the names given to Jacob's sons-the heads of VOL. XII.-No. 133. Reading Station, Feb. 16.-Another week is nearly fled. As I journey home I will endeavor to say a few words to my readers, Word as have recently been a help to mecalling their attention to such portions of the and to such events as I have witnessed in the places where I have labored in the Lord's namo. There is a small flock of sheep grazing un D |