hand, and said, that Mr Dowling was his spiritual father. In reply, I remarked that if I was not greatly mistaken he was a Jew. He said that he was, upon which he turned to my companions in travel, and said that he should not allow me to go on board the ship that day, for he meant to take me to his house, and as it was Saturday afternoon, he said, that he should be happy for me to spend the Lord's-day with him. When my companions left me, he began to tell me of the way in which the Lord met with him; and if ever my soul was knit to a brother in Christ, it was that afternoon, as we walked the streets of Cape Town, listening to the wonderful things which God had done for my Jewish brother. He told me that in consequence of his openly embracing Christianity, and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ by baptism, he was subjected to the fiercest persecution from his brethren after the flesh; and this was increased by his marrying a member of Mr. Dowling's church; indeed, so violent were they towards him, that it was considered advisable for him to leave the Colony; which he did, and went over to Melbourne; but here the same things awaited him; and after consultation with friends, he determined to sail for the Cape of Good Hope, where I found him comfortably situated as it regards temporal things; but regretting deeply his loss in the means of grace, and Christian fellowship. After showing me all the public buildings, &c., in Cape Town, he took me to his home; and introduced me to his dear partner, as a brother in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, and was made to share in such hospitality, as made me almost to believe that I had met with one of the primitive disciples. In passing, I may say that there is not a single place of worship in connection with any of the Baptists in Cape Town, though there are Churches and Chapels belonging to almost every other denomination. You will see that I have said nothing about New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand, all of which are distinct colonies; and I am led to conclude from what I have heard, that in the city of Sydney, the capital of New South Wales; and also in the city of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, there are many baptized believers. I may just say, that when I was in Melbourne, I found the name of brother Wells, of the Surrey Tabernacle, was almost as well known as in the neighbourhood of the Borough Road. much regret it. I have not been without my bonds and afflictions since I have been in Australia; nevertheless, "the mercy of the Lord endureth for ever;" therefore, "he has compassed me about with songs of deliverance: and blessed be his name." There are two reasons why I have not written before; the first is, I have heard of some very unkind and untrue things that have been reported of me from England; therefore, secondly, I thought I would not write again until I was able to fulfil my promise to my friends. By this mail 1 send a letter to Hadlow, requesting a full account of the settlement of my affairs, and the amount due to each; though, according to law, they have no claim upon me, because I gave up all I possessed, and a deed of assignment was made, sealed, signed, and delivered, and therefore I was fully discharged; yet to me it was then, and is now, a debt of honour, and I wish to pay it, and will forward the money through the bank when I know the amount; and I am sure that if they had not sought to plunge me into deeper trouble, and damage me with my friends in the manner they did (through the letters they wrote), I have no doubt that the most, if not all, would have been settled before I left England. But as it was, the dear Lord wrought wonders for ine which I can never forget. I landed on these shores with a wife and six children, friendless, homeless, and moneyless; nevertheless the Lord stood by me, and was my Friend, "who loveth at all times, and sticketh closer than a brother." And such he is, and ever was, and ever will be. Praise ye the Lord! I have had heavy losses, but I have recovered from them; while many who were worth thousands are now obliged to seek for employ ment. We are all well and comfortable, and quite at home in Australia. My wife and children are all well. We have had an increase of three sons since we have been here; the last were twin boys, all doing well. In reference to the Lord's cause I have had many trials (I will give you an account of them some day). Notwithstanding, I still find a heart for the courts of the Lord's house, and that Jesus is more precious to me than gold or silver. This is no small mercy, when I see so many who in England stood high in the church, but here you know them not from the world. Our prospects as a church are brighter. We were obliged to break up the late church, and have now formed ourselves into a church with those who are of one heart and one mind. I will write you by next mail. This We unite with you and all friends. mail is just closing, therefore I must conclude. Wishing you every covenant blessing, I remain, dear brother, yours in the Lord, JOHN B. M'CURE. Moorabool-street, Geelong. Nov. 29, 1856. OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES. A SOLEMN AND HAPPY TEA MEETING AT PROVIDENCE CHAPEL, BROAD ST., On Wednesday evening, Feb. 4, 1857, the friends of Providence Chapel, Ramsgate, held a tea meeting, to welcome Mr. Comfort as their pastor, when 101 persons sat down to tea, and made a substantial repast. After tea Mr. E. Perry, one of the deacons, rose and proposed Mr. Comfort to take the chair, which was seconded by Mr. W. Stokes, the other deacon. Mr. Comfort then rose, and with feelings of great emotion made a few remarks, expressing his happiness at seeing so many present, and the kind feeling that was manifested towards him on his arrival in Ramsgate; and he trusted that the union then formed would prove a lasting one, and redound to the glory of a Triune God, and the good of immortal souls. But observing that as several had to speak and time was running on, he would at once call upon his brother Perry to give a detail of the rise and progress of the cause. ciously pleased to answer our petitions, and impress the mind of one of our number with the thought that there was a room in Meetingstreet, where Mr. Goldsmith had many years before preached, to let. We, accordingly, acting upon his suggestion, lost no time in making enquiry relative to it; and ultimately we engaged it. This occurred in 1851. Having succeeded in getting a public room, and one which, if you will allow me the expression, had been truly consecrated by the preaching of a full and free salvation within its walls for many years by that dear man of God, Mr. Goldsmith, our next anxiety was to obtain a minister who would again proclaim those glorious truths that he had there advocated. At the suggestion of our brother Meader we made application to Mr. John Nichols, who was then pastor of Zion Chapel, Chelsea, to come and preach two sermons on the day of opening, to which he cheerfully responded. I well recollect the first sermon he preached on the morning of that day, which was the 16th of June, 1851. He took for his text Paul's words to the Romans,-"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." And I think I may say, with heart-felt sincerity, that this has been our motto ever since. We continued "Jesus, accept our humble praise," &c., there till May, 1852, when, finding the place which was cheerfully sung by all present; uncomfortably small through addition to our after which he made the following statement number, we engaged the chapel we now hold. We had named our first chapel "Providence," of the origin and progress of the cause:-My and have since retained it here; and I trust dear Christian Friends, it is with much plea- it was the providence of our covenant God sure I rise to respond to the request of our dear minister; and will therefore endeavour which first directed us to endeavour to estato give you, in as concise a manner as possi-blish a cause of truth in this town, and has ble, the details of the rise and progress of the cause and interest here. It is now six years this month, since myself and two others left Mount Zion Chapel, in this town, for what we then believed and do still believe to be a justifiable reason-namely, for truth's sake. Our motto was, to use the words of that eminent poet, Toplady, Mr. Perry then rose, and gave out the 205th hymn in Kent's hymn-book, commencing, "Careless ourselves, as dying men, Not finding a ministry in the town under since supplied our pulpit with ministers from various parts of England. Our present chaPel was opened on Lord's-day, May 9th, of the above year, when Mr. J. Nichols preached two excellent sermons to a very attentive audience. In February, 1854, eleven of us formed ourselves into a Particular Baptist Church. In March, 1855, five persons came forward professing to have received good under the ministry, and were received into our church on a profession of their faith, and baptised by Mr. Edwards at Sandwich, Mr. Teall having kindly lent us his chapel for the occasion, as we have no pool in our own. In April last year Mr. Leader baptised two more for us in the chapel in the Boat-yard. Thus, though we cannot speak of great numbers having joined us, we believe such have been added to us as are saved with an everlasting salvation; and, if one may speak for the rest, I believe the language of the church has been, Lord, add only those to our number who have been renewed in the spirit of their minds, and are made willing to crown Jesus Lord of all. But though not many have cast in their lot with us, many, both in this town, and numbers from London and different places, have testified that the word has been made a great blessing to their souls. One case now occurs to my mind which will fully bear out what I have now stated. A gentleman living at Maidstone, and now a member of a gospel church there, was down at Ramsgate on a visit in the latter part of the summer of 1851, and hearing that Mr. Moody was to preach at our little chapel in Meeting-street, he came, with a hope that he might hear something to comfort him; for he had been in great distress about his soul for many years, fearing all that time there could be no mercy for him. He heard with such delight that all his doubts and fears departed, and he was enabled to say, in the words of a celebrated German poet, "Jesus I know has died for me; Here is my hope, my joy, my rest; I look into his wounded breast. I could, if time would allow, mention many other cases, having at different times received letters from individuals, expressing their gratitude that the Lord ever directed their footsteps unto Providence Chapel. But to come nearer home, I can and will bear testimony myself to having heard the word preached both here and in our former place in Meeting-street, with sacred joy and delight. From the commencement to the present time, no less than fiftyeight different ministers have supplied our pulpit, and above £517 have been expended to carry on the cause, nearly the whole of which has been received by voluntary contributions and monthly collections. For the last two years we have felt very anxious, if it was the Lord's will, to have a settled ministry. We accordingly made it a matter of much prayer, but up till last August in last year we were not led to fix upon any one whom we heard. On the last Lord's-day in August in last year, Mr. Bidder was engaged to preach for us; the week preceding he was down in Cornwall, and upon reaching Bristol, in his way to Ramsgate, he was taken ill, and having a daughter at Yeovil he made up his mind to go there. He did so; and finding himself unable to proceed any further, he prevailed on Mr. Comfort to come on to Ramsgate and preach at our chapel in his stead; and, somewhat strange to say, after hearing him on the Lord's-day I remarked to my brother Stokes (without knowing that Mr. Comfort had previously informed his people of his intention to leave Yeovil), that he was more likely to suit us as a minister than any other who had come amongst us, in which opinion my brother Stokes concurred. We therefore had a church meeting, after finding what were his intentions respecting Yeovil, and gave him an invitation to supply our pulpit in the month of November on probation, which he did; and we afterwards gave him a unanimous invitation to take the pastorate over us, which, after prayerfully considering, he has accepted. I did intend to have made a few remarks as to our sentiments; but as Mr. Comfort is present he is far more capable of doing so than I am. I therefore, in conclusion, con tent myself with saying, in the words of Berridge, "Although with Calvin I agree, Yet Christ is all in all to me.' "3 Mr. Comfort then called upon Mr. Stoke to make a few remarks, which he did, in corroboration of Mr. Perry's statement, and also work was of the Lord. He concluded by prostating that he believed from first to last the posing a collection to help defray Mr. Comfort's travelling expenses from Yeovil, which was cheerfully responded to, and the sum of £6 10s. was then collected, which, with the proceeds of the meeting, made £9 14s. 6d. raised towards Mr. Comfort's expenses. Mr. Teall, of Sandwich, then rose and addressed the meeting, and made some very ju dicious remarks upon the cause. He said he spoke from a full knowledge, having frequently preached for the friends during the time the chapel had been opened. to the importance of the step both church and Mr. Rowe then made a few remarks relative minister had taken. He concluded by saying, from the knowledge he had of the church, and from what he had heard from the minister's lips, he wished them God speed. relative to gospel doctrines and ordinances, Mr. Comfort then rose and gave his belief after which the meeting was concluded by singing, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT BEDMONT. e THE following epistle demands the serious attention of all truly devoted and Spirit-taught New Testament Baptists, in two particulars. First, because it refers to the extravagance of one section of our denomination, and to the Christian endurance of another section. The principal part of the Baptist churches in this land are fast going over to Arminian principles, to open communion order, and to a spirit of cold and cruel persecution against all who hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience: such churches literally wasting money in erecting buildings which have more of earthly grandeur and vainglory outside, than they have of gospel glory and of spiritual greatness inside; while truth-loving men, such as the devoted Hutchinson, of Bedmont, are left to labour in places which are too strait for the people, and destructive to the health of the pastor. Why cannot we have a "Gospel Baptist Building Fund, and a Pastor's Relief Association?" Some cases have recently come under our notice, where the provided Relief of the old Baptist Fund has been positively denied to some of the most deserving ministers to be found in this kingdom, while it is given to free-will and universal men, who are of no use to the sheep of Christ. We are prepared ro PROVE these things; and we ask whether such ministers and laymen in our churches, who have wealth and influence, will withhold the talent God has given them, until TRUTH is driven out of the land, and the candlestick taken away? -ED. To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel. DEAR SIR.-I often ask myself the question, Are we right as a Baptist denomination to appeal to the liberality of the public to meet the demands in the erection of such gorgeous places of worship, with useless lofty towers, as we have in the present day, at the cost of several thousand pounds, while so many sections of the church of Christ in our villages are struggling for the want of a few pounds to lengthen their cords and strengthen | unsearchable riches of Christ. The Lord is still their stakes? Surely, sir, this cannot be right. I blessing his own truth, calling in some by invinci will give you one case among the many I could ble grace, and establishing believers in the truth speak of. The church at Bedmont, under the pas- of the gospel. The chapel, though but recently toral care of that faithful and devoted man of enlarged, is too strait for the people. It is filled God, Mr. Hutchinson: It was my pleasure a few every Lord's-day, so that the people are quite unSabbaths past to pay them a visit. I found a large comfortable in their seats. The debt was £130, gathering of people with a spiritual appetite, be- but since the reopening on New Year's Day we si les seventy children in the Sabbath-school, one have reduced the debt considerably. On Good of the best conducted schools I have met with; Friday, by donations and collections, it amounted several of the teachers in connection with the same to £13 10s. 2d., leaving a debt upon the chapel of have been added to the church through the instru- £68 15s. 1d. Surely we can raise our Ebenezer of mentality of their beloved pastor. Still further praise, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped!" additions might be made to the school, sufficient CHAS. E. MERRETT, to fill the chapel, which by close packing will hold 150 persons. The chapel is long, narrow, and so low that it is very oppressive for the people, and many are obliged to leave. Our brother Hutchinson preaches three times on the Sabbath, and on the Thursday evening, free of any expense to the people, though he has to walk several miles to perform his duties. The people are very poor, but rich in faith, and would gladly give of their substance to pay the rent of a larger place. My object in writing is that our gracious Lord may, if consistent with his will, dispose the hearts of his people to come forward and assist a cause in which Jehovah has so signally blessed the labours of one of his servants. I am, dear sir, yours, a subscriber, J. KEALY. Oakley Cottage, Upper Cheyne-row, CHARLES STREET CHAPEL, CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD. DEAR MR. EDITOR.-Some time ago I promised to give some further account of our new schoolroom; and I am happy to inform you that the building is partly raised, and the stone was laid by W. H. Watson, Esq., on the 30th of March. Several addresses were given; after which about 200 friends took tea; and during the evening a report of our Sabbath-school was read. Several brethren addressed the meeting, and collections were made, which, together with promises, amounted to £34. The teachers were encouraged to say, "Surely the Lord hath done great things for us;" and we earnestly hope many friends will come forward to aid us, and all the praise shall resound to the name of Jesus. May the teaching of his word be the humble means of bringing many poor sinners out of nature's darkness into his marvellous light, is the desire of, yours in Christ, E. A. MENDLESHAM BAPTIST CHAPEL. DEAR MR. EDITOR.-Upon Lord's-day, April 5, 1847, four believers in the Lord Jesus (two males and two females) were baptised in water upon a profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus. It rained fast in the morning, but the chapel was filled in every corner. The subject laid upon my mind was, "The sufferings of Christ." I spoke from Luke xii. 50, "I have a baptism to be baptised with," &c. The important matters were Scripturally set forth previous to administering the ordinance. In the afternoon of the day we assembled together around the Lord's table to receive into the church those baptised followers of Jesus, and to break bread, out of love to our dying, rising, and living Christ. The good Lord enabled me again to speak to the people from Luke ii. 10. The Lord's presence was greatly enjoyed. On Good Friday we had a friendly tea meeting; about 300 persons sat down to tea. We had three sermons; in the morning and afternoon brother Felton, of Ipswich, preached two blessed sermons, containing the marrow of the gospel. The word was blessed to many precious souls in Mendlesham Chapel that day. In the evening the Lord helped me to speak to the people from 1 Sam. vii. 11, observing the providence of God in bringing me, a poor, helpless sinner, among them to preach the ZION CHAPEL GOLDINGTON CRESCENT, ST. PANCRAS. WE held our annual meeting on Good Friday, for the liquidation of our chapel debt. We had nearly 300 friends to tea, many coming from a great distance to be with us; and if cheerful countenances were proofs of happiness enjoyed, they certainly partook largely of the same. At halfpast six Mr. Nunn opened the meeting by reviewing the Lord's goodness in guiding, directing, sustaining, and establishing his people, and maintaining and upholding the principle first acted upon-the debt being now reduced from £1,400 to £800. By this time our congregation had reached between 600 and 700 friends, who were addressed by our brethren Attwood, Firman, Vaughan, Pierce, Flack, and Chislett. Their remarks were well received, and characterised by kindness, sympathy, and fellow-feeling; breathing forth thankfulness to the God of all our mercies, so largely bestowed upon pastor and people at Zion. It was a happy meeting all seemed pleased. Our singing friends favored us with some appropriate and beautiful pieces; and at the close of a very interesting and animating evening we were enabled to name the proceeds derived, amounting to £35.' We would wish to say, "O praise the Lord with us, and let us magnify his name together!" JAMES MARKS. LYNN, NORFOLK. DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER C. W. BANKS.Your notice to correspondents, in January Number, induced me to pen a line or two, for the introduction of Lynn to the notice of the churches of truth. The little cause of Particular Baptists meet for worship at present in Zion Chapel, Blackfriars-road, Lynn, where it has sustained a straightforward course through fire and flood, the last twenty-one years; and though our end seem toreatened, as it many times has, we would still hope the little one may yet become a thousand; for "Who hath despised the day of small things?" We are few, very few, and as poor; but have ever had enough, and a Ititle at times to spare above incidental expenses, and have enjoyed, as little interrupted as our neighbours, the essential elements of a gospel church, if the dying testimony of an elderly member may be proof-viz., Miriam Royston's, aged 70, who died last November, and in converse with a friend a few days previous to her last, said, "We have been but few, but we have enjoyed union, communion, and love." Mr. Rawlings, of Downham, Norfolk, preaches regularly the second Lord's-day every month, morning and afternoon. Mr. Munday, of Pentney, near Lynn, occasionally; at other times a friend whose heart is engaged, though of mean abilities, conducts the worship; and if any of the brethren in the ministry coming near us would bear us in mind to give us notice, we should gladly arrange with them to visit us also on their preaching tours. "Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people Jacob shall rejoice, and Is rael shall be glad. Your unworthy brother in the truth, R. CLAYDON. Windsor-road, Lynn, Norfolk. 4441 THE NEW BISHOP OF NORWICH.-A writer says-" The Evangelical party are greatly pleased at the recent appointment of the new Bishop of Norwich, who is declared to be a bold and powerful preacher of THE gospel:" and some of the friends who love the truth, and are not conscientious about ordinances, say that the living testimony is leaving nonconformity, and walking back to the old establishment; but, Mr. Editor, we wish you to announce that we have another new bishop of Norwich, in the person of Mr. John Corbitt, who is now preaching in Orford Hill Chapel to many hundreds of precious souls. Last Easter Monday and Tuesday we had some preaching, and some happy meetings. C. W. Banks preached; Mr. Tann, of Yarmouth, Mr. Pegg, Mr. Corbitt, and others, took part in the services. for aiding struggling causes to build convenient DEAR BROTHER BANKS,-What a disappointment to the poor little tried church of Christfat Wantage! We anticipated our case would be referred to in the VESSEL for April, by means of which we hoped to We are, in one have obtained some little relief. sense, in trying circumstances; yet, blessed be God for the circumstance we are brought into. Our little place at Wantage, in Wallingford-street, continues to be crowded to such excess that we are obliged to seek out a place of much larger dimensions. Several friends have come forward in a liberal way with their contributions, and are very anxious for a new chapel. But I feel desirous that things may be managed in such a way as that a burden may not rest upon the church and congregation in after-days. We have much cause for gratitude and thankfulness. The Lord is blessing the word abundantly at Wantage. A handsome new Bible and Cushion has been presented by the congregation for the use of the pulpit. Several are coming forward for baptism; and soon I hope to see an addition of true believers to the feeble CITY ROAD.-Little "Mount Zion," Nelson church. Blessings on the dear name of Christ, I Place, has been Re-opened since Mr. Newborn feel my heart and soul, under the Holy Spirit's left it, by the friends who worship under the influence, fully and freely delighting in the work of the ministry. I am never so safe, never so comministry of Mr. Jabez Whitteridge. The re-fortable, as when I am enabled to leave myself opening sermons were preached by Mr. James entirely in his blessed hands. But, strange to tell, Wells, Mr. David Male, C. W. Banks, and although I have been favoured with much of the the future minister, Mr. Whitteridge. The Divine presence at times, and I have great reason departure of Mr. Newborn, and the uprising to believe that God has blessed the word spoken of our brother Jabez is, we hope, a sacred by me to many at Wantage; yet I sometimes sink so low in my mind, so dark, and cold, and deadfulfilment of that sweet promise-"Instead of the enemy comes upon me at such times, and I thy fathers, shall be thy children, whom thou often conclude that all will come to nought. Oh! the dreadful unbelief of my heart in the very mayest make princes in all the earth." midst of such clear proofs of God's divine faithfulness in the salvation of sinners and the comforting of his called people! I hope you will lay our case before the churches, and use your best effort for the promotion of our benefit; a little from one, a little from another, so as to put us in a position to obtain a place for divine worship, that all may have an opportunity of hearing the gospel. It is distressing to see so many go away that cannot find admittance; and even those that do crowd in are almost suffocated. Our case, dear brother, is a case of great necessity. Do try what you can do for us.-Your's, truly, J. BEACOCK.-There cannot possibly be a people more needing, or more deserving of help, than the little church at Want age.-ED.] SAXLINGHAM.-Mr. Hamblin, (late of Foot's Cray,) was recognised as pastor of the Baptist Church, Saxlingham, Norfolk, on Tuesday, April 14th. Mr. Pegg, of Claxton, preached in the afternoon; the venerable John Gowin, of Norwich, gave the charge; and Mr. Taylor, of Pulham, addressed the church, whose voice in calling Mr. Hamblin to the pastorate is quite unanimous. WANTAGE.-Frequently, during the last ten or twelve years, have we referred to the little Baptist cause in the town of Wantage, in Berks.; because having been instrumental in its first formation; having known its adversiEGERTON-FOSTAL, NEAR ASHFORD, KENT. ties and heavy struggles; having been inti--A good example for industrious pastors.mately acquainted with its best friends; and Our Christian friend and brother, Isaac having often laboured among them, we have McCarthy, gives a cheering report of his watched, with some anxiety, its ups and earnest endeavours, under God, to revive the downs, its prospects and its pains. When it pleased the Lord to take William Irving home cause of truth in his district. He saysto glory, we feared, then, the cause would be more than ever tried; but, blessed be his name, the Great Head of the church has never forsaken them. They have been persecuted, reproached, despised, and by men, sometimes, deserted; but the Lord has not left them without some tokens of his favor. The last time we were with them, seeing their desires for a settled, a faithful, and useful ministry, our thoughts were directed to Mr. J. Beacock, a Cambridgeshire brother, whose testimony had, in many cases, been much owned of God. He went down to them; and the following extract, from one of his letters, will shew a further need for the establishment of a fund Thanks be to God, who has directed my steps into the way of usefulness in my present sphere. Every Sabbath I preach three times. Monday is appropriated to visiting the sick, lame, and lazy. Tuesday I preside at a Bible Class, principally designed for inquirers. Wednesday, preach again. Thursday I lecture at my own lodging, on the best mode, or way, to promote a revival of the work of God. After this, we have especial prayer to God for the effectual influence of his Holy Spirit, without which no good can be done. We ask none to take a part in this service whom we think have not lively and active faith; as we think that all prayer that is not wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God has a tendency to damp the energy of all such meetings. Friday is another visiting day. And on Saturday 1 lay in my store of gems, for distribution on the Sabbath |
