MEMOIR OF THE LATE JOHN KEEBLE, (Continued from page 186, and concluded.) JOHN KEEBLE, shortly after being called out by the Church at Stoke Green, Ipswich, was appointed to preach before the Association of Baptist Churches for Suffolk and Norfolk. When the time arrived, his soul was greatly distressed. He left his home to go to the Association, his heart failed him, he went part of the way back again; he returned, and retreated a second time; again his heart quailed, he hid himself in a saw pit while some friends going thither passed him on their way. Again he took courage, and hastening, arrived at the Meeting-house just as the minister, having engaged in prayer, was descending from the pulpit; he tremblingly ascended it, and the Lord having broke in upon his soul with light, liberty, and power, he preached from that admirable passage, "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." Zech. xiii. 7. A gentleman from London heard him preach that sermon; he brought a good report home with him, and Mr. Keeble was invited to supply at Blandford Street, then in a widowed state. It resulted in his being chosen as their Pastor. When the invitation came from London, John Keeble had left his humble cottage to go to his daily employ-hedging and ditching. A call to go to London to preach, filled him with dismay. He was known to lay himself on the ground in the fields, and to weep like a child. So much was he kept in ignorance of his own qualifications for the work. His funeral text seemed to follow him through the whole course of his ministry, "I be nothing." When John Keeble came to Blandford Street, things wore a very gloomy aspect there; the last embers of the cause were ready to expire. But God made him a bright and a shining light amongst the people, and hundreds rejoiced in that light. He was their diligent, faithful, minister nearly twenty six years, and few churches were more prosperous, united, or respectable. "I have (said Mr. Chin,) a memorandum kept by him, containing the names of four hundred and ninetyseven persons who were admitted members of the Church during the time of his Pastorate." What hath God wrought! ""Tis His work," would Keeble say. I be nothing. Mr. Chin goes on to observe. "Upon a review of Mr. Keeble's life, there are some Providences that ought not to be passed over; as they shew the special care of God over his people, both before and after their conversion. I would notice, 1: A merciful preservation of his life, when in a state of ignorance and alienation of heart from God. When about nine years of age, while playing with other boys, by some accident he fell into a well, small at the top, but enlarged as it descended. Remote from any dwelling, death seemed inevitable; but his companions (as if impressed with the thought immediately from God) devised this expedient. One of them agreed to be let down into the well, suspended by the hands of the rest, till he could reach young Keeble with his feet, who being yet sufficiently sensible, seized his legs with eagerness, and then both were drawn up together. 2, While he was playing on the quay at Londonderry, he went on a plank laid from the shore to a ship, about fifteen feet off land. On his return, a boy shook the plank and threw him off into the sea. He sank twice. A sailor standing by, leaped in, dived, and brought him to the shore insensible. He was carried away for dead. When he recovered, he found himself in bed, but, says he, "I know not how I came there." 3. After he became a man, being engaged in husbandry as a carter, and walking beside his horses, he slipped and fell down before the wheel of a loaded waggon. The wheel caught his ankle, passed up his leg and thigh, and, just as it was coming in contact with his body, he called to his horses, and they made a dead stand. In that situation he remained till an individual came and extricated him from his alarming situation. It is written, "preserved in Christ, and called." The afflictions of his family were numerous, so that he was often reduced to great poverty. In one of these seasons a letter came; the wife complained and objected to receive it, as needing all their money to pay the postage. But he said to her, "Well, never mind, my dear, pay for the letter, the Lord will provide." On opening it, they found a two pound note inclosed. In such a case (says Chin) I think persons may be excused paying the postage of poor minister's letters." For many years his personal afflictions were frequent and protrac ted, but the Lord raised him up a medical friend, in one of the most eminent and skilful physicians this great metropolis afforded. * He attended him constantly and gratuitously, and in his skill he could place unlimited con fidence. "It would save me, (says Chin) an irksome task could I omit adverting to the painful circumstances that attended the last five or six years of Mr. Keeble's life; but I state it with a view to remind ministers and churches, of the instability of all societies on this side heaven. It was at this time when Mr. Keeble was the subject of great personal and family He was SerEminent as a • Thomas Chevalier, Esq., F.R.S. jeant-surgeon to King George III. PHYSICIAN, but more so as a sterling man of God. Mr. Chevalier was for some years a member of the Baptist Church in Keppel Street, Bedford Square, at that time under the Pastorate of the celebrated John Martin. Keeble, and was buried in Bunhill fields. A head He lived only about 7 weeks after stone E. and W. 101, N. and S. 55 marks his grave. afflictions, that sad divisions broke out in his church. There was given him to drink, vinegar mingled with gall. But to the credit of a large majority of his people, they stood by him in his troubles and administered to him in his afflictions. [Several of the principal malecontents rent themselves from the Church, and joined my predecessor, Mr. Thomas Powell, at Mitchell Street; there, I am sorry to say, they were received with "high satisfaction," so records the old Church-book now before me. They were caressed, being moneyed men, for a time, when they left (not dismissed) and opened another place, which after a little while passed into other hands. Their flight from Mitchell Street, mercifully took place about three years before I became the Pastor. —J. A. J.] Mr. Chin proceeds, "in the heighth of Mr. Keeble's great prosperity, while preaching on a public occasion, and adverting to his own prosperous and comfortable condition, he said, "I attribute it to the praying men with whom I am connected. I am supported on their shoulders, and enrobed in their affections." But alas! he lived to see the insufficiency of this robe, and the insecurity of such support. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men.' While these troubles were going on, Mrs Keeble, unable to sustain new trials, sunk under its burden, and finished a course, in which she had experienced many an evil day. But that God whose he was, and whom he served, appeared at length for him, and raised him up a friend whose pecuniary resources removed all apprehension of any future embarrassment, and rendered his mind tranquil and grateful. The Lord in his providence directed him to a second, and also a suitable partner, one that devoted her whole attention, and also her fortune, to his comfort. " For two years Mr. Keeble's bodily afflictions were great. In my last interview with him (says Chin) he said, 'I have no exuberant joys, I am not wonderfully transported; but, I have a solid and well-grounded hope, and that hope is built on the truth and faithfulness of God; so that when I lie down on that bed, it is a matter of perfect indifference to me whether I awake in this world or another. But, I have had some sweet manifestations; as though my heavenly Father had lifted up a cloud and allowed me to peep into heaven, and given me such a view of glory as I can not express. But, this, said he, is not the ground of my hope; I am founded on the Rock, Christ Jesus.' In a word, he appeared like Moses on the mount, with the heavenly Canaan in full view; realizing that passage, "he shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks." Isa. xxviii. 19. Such were his feelings, and such his prospects. A friend, desirous of finding out whether his sentiments as to truth were then as he had always declared them to be, put the question to him. He replied, I believe what I always have believed since I knew the truth of God; if there is any difference, I view it with more satisfaction, because I see it with clearer light." A few hours before his death, there was no unusual apprehension of danger. He rode on the morning of the same day, in an open chaise, from his house, at Fulham to London, to consult his physician, and was cheerful. He was soon after taken with cold chills, and obliged to return home as soon as possible. Great torpor and insensibility pervaded his whole frame. Having arrived at his house, he was placed in his dying chair. Looking affectionately at his wife, he said in a feeble tone, being just capable of articulation, “it is finished; all is over; are you not glad ?" This was said with marked complacency, as one who had arrived at his wished-for home. Having uttered a few more words expressive of affection and gratitude, he closed his eyes without the smallest appearance of pain or agitation, finished his course with most delightful composure, aged sixty three years. Mr. Chin, in summing up his character, says, "John Keeble was eminently devoted to God. His walk and conversation strictly upright, and becoming the gospel. Artless simplicity, and unbended integrity were very conspicuous features in his honourable character. As a minister, he was diligent in study, and by great perseverance, overcame, in some good measure, the disadvantages under which he labored. He came before the people with a mind deeply imbued with the all important and distinguishing truths of the gospel, which were delivered by him with most evident marks of Godly sincerity. In a word, “He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and faith, and much people were added to the Lord." Acts xi. 24. Reader! I have taken much, very much interest, in transcribing this memoir of John Keeble. Why? I will tell you. I never saw him but once; I never spoke to him in my life; but, I shall have reason to remember him. In the early part of my humble ministry, I experienced at times, some dark seasons, which caused me to resolve, with Jeremiah, “I will not speak any more in the name of the Lord." Jer. xx. 9. I left the people of my charge at Hartley Row, in the month of February, 1814, (now more than forty four years ago); I travelled to London on foot, on the plea of seeing my aged father, but, resolving to give up the ministry entirely. In the great metropolis, I was as a wandering outcast. The Lord's-day arrived; I had heard of John Keeble, of Blandford-street. I went, greatly depressed in mind, in the evening. It was densely crowded. I made my way up into the gallery. Mr. Keeble, in prayer before sermon, interceded with the Lord on behalf of his own ministers; he said, I think, verbatim, as follows, "Thine own labourers, Lord, Í pray for, I do not pray for loiterors; but, if there should be here to-night, one of thy laborers, who is loitering, or rather, has run away from his work, O send him home again, though it be with a cat-o'nine tails at his back." I trembled; I wept; I was found out! I mentally cried out, "Lord, I will return home to my work; only go thou with me, stand by me, and keep me, and mine ear shall be bored through as with an awl to the doorpost of thine house." Deut. xv. 16. I left Addressed to Mr. John Keeble, Minister of Blandford Street Chapel, London, when in the midst of his labours and usefulness. Written by Elizabeth Parsons, a member of his church. BOANERGES, son of thunder! Sound the gospel trumpet loud: Satan, that malicious spirit, Grinds his teeth and bites his chains; Though I hate it from my heart, Gave them leave to rail at me; As to bid them preach and pray; E'en to teach them what to say. You no sooner see they're mine, Could I keep you from your knees; But in vain I've tried to win you; And I dread your Captain's sword; Noble Captain! We adore thee; All around us "a defence." DYING WORDS; ONE OF THE LAST LETTERS OF THE LATE MY DEAR FRIEND IN OUR UNCHANGEABLE ONE-IT is with a trembling hand-a body sinking into the longed for tomb, and natural powers more than a little affected by the nature and working of my disease-that I attempt to write you a farewell line. I do not mean an everlasting farewell, but a little cheerful farewell, till love's time shall arrive for us to meet in the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus. I am, according to all present indications, likely to have the no little advantage of being carried thither before you. I have said carried thither, for the plain fact is, my glorious Ransomer knows, that if he will have me in heaven with him, to behold his glory, which his Father hath given him; he must be so kind, by reason of my utter helplessness, to carry me, amidst miracles of embracing mercies, every step of the way home. And, blessed be his adorable name, he has, (more especially of late,) given me those teachings of his Spirit, that I have a deep inwrought humbling sense of his truth; consequently, I sigh for a sense of his powerful and precious presence within my poor destitute soul; nor is it among the least of my sweet and manifold mercies, to be found daily and hourly, to fall as a helpless babe into his loving, securing, and all blessedly embracing arms. I have, my dear friend, had such tastes of the solid blessedness of this kind of experience, that I would gasp for the Spirit's influence to increase it more and more continually. I crave no higher bliss on earth, of my greatly exalted Prince Jesus, than to lie, with inwrought complacency at his marvellous feet, the lowest-a saved sinner every day. Indeed, the revelations, salutations and composing harmonies experienced there, are all wonderful, all a mystery unveiled, a secret unrevealed, a glory unseen, a reality unfelt, to all those who have not the life of God in their hearts, the power of grace in their souls, and the solemnities of a great mercy in their experience. But Oh! what an unspeakable grace! this is not your case, for not only has the Divine Father loved you -his adorable Son redeemed you-but also the glorious Spirit hath brought you nigh to God by the blood of Christ. Yea, moreover, you have been washed, and clothed, and pardoned, and received, and healed, and fed, and taught, and corrected, and comforted; and, by the powerful love of the blessed Trinity, kept to the present moment, with ten thousand warm wishes in your soul after more freedom in divine approaches-more communion with Jesus, and more conformity to his likeness. Hallelujah! you shall be mercifully kept to the end of your pilgrimage. Hallelujah! at the end of your pilgrimage you shall be crowned with glory, Hallelujah! When crowned, you shall have the blessed Trinity in all the displays of unknown glories for your portion for ever, Hallelujah! You can believe that your blessed employment then and there will be, singing Hallelujah! The last three weeks, my disease has so exercised me, as sometimes to disturb the blessedness (the sensible blessedness I mean,) of spiritual communion. My cough is very troublesome, my breathing very short, my irritations of throat very perplexing, my appetite failing fast, my prospects of living long, all, as it were gone; but, the Lord reigneth. This is my blessed hope, my solid ground of confidence, and foundation of supporting anticipation. long to be in heaven, wholly freed from corruption, temptations, and all evil. "I desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." I sigh for an endless life of heavenly purities, fruitions, and songs. Hope you will continue to pray for me, while in the militant church. Peace be with you, farewell, till we shall both wear heavenly crowns, and strike the golden harps. Your's for ever in Jesus, ROBERT BARNES. Glemsford, April 26, 1858. LINES ON THE DEATH OF MR. BARNES. Ah! thou art now released from care, Glemsford has lost a praying friend. Oft he described thy fallen state, Has dropped the fallen mantle down. As God the Lord to Joshua said- But where, in spiritual concerns- ANOTHER SAINT TRANSLATED. Mrs. William Pollard was born April 16th, 1820, her parents were God-fearing people; the restraining grace of our Lord Jesus Christ made her a good mother, a good wife, a good neighbour, and a sincere friend. Her illness was a short one, the disease being rapid consumption. her pains were great, but the grace of patience was greater. There was at times a starting at death; a clinging to life, her husband, and children; but in this illness the Lord made her feel herself a sinner; and as such to sue for mercy; so much so, that she said to her dear father, "I fear I shall not meet you in Heaven:" but the Lord put a word into the aged parent's mouth to speak to the comfort of her soul, and gave him Our sister power at the throne on her behalf. then said, "All is peace;" her last words were, "The Kingdom of God is nigh at hand." She breathed out her spirit into the hands of her Maker on the 12th of May. We committed her mortal remains to its last resting-place, in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection. Our sister was 38 years in this vale of tears. The funeral sermon was preached by Mr. F. Wheeler, at Providence Chapel, Cook's-ground, King's-road, Chelsea, on Lord's-day, May 30th, to an attentive and deeply-affected audience, from 115th Psalm, 3rd verse, "But our God is in the heavens, he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." Our sister was made to feel this truth, and is now with her Lord. Amen. Our Sunday Schools. [OCCASIONALLY, we hope to furnish short, but interesting papers, which may be read by the Superintendants-and the Visitors-in the midst of their little gatherings. We feel persuaded the following papers will be read with unusual pleasure.-ED.] PLEA FOR SABBATH SCHOOLS, BY JOSEPH PALMER, Spirit, to ask his glory, and the dear children's everlasting welfare. The other day I was in a nursery ground Of Romney-street, Westminister, delivered at the there are many around Hounslow-and I School Anniversary. ALTHOUGH I was brought up in a religious body, amongst whom Sabbath Schools were in disuse, still, in common with others, we feel that it is a needful auxiliary to the churches of our land in this age of progress. We cannot say too much in commendation of a Bible education. Next to the grace of God, it is invaluable. And the young mind is very susceptile of impresions. Like melted wax, it answers to the seal. See to it then, ye teachers in our Sunday Schools, that ye have good impresions there. We men, who have grown up in the world, have become very much hardened by its deadening influences: but not so with children, their young minds are very capable of receiving impressions. And let me tell you, you dear boys and girls of our Sabbath School who are present to-night, that Bible education is designed to be to you as a wing with which, through God's grace, we trust you will fly onward and upward towards Jesus. Education in itself may be weak, but the Godly teacher works in faith and prays in faith, depending upon God's Holy Spirit to bless the labour: and that is a very encouraging word which I have met with somewhere, "Prayer moves the arm which moves the universe." Education is also said by the wise man, to be a blessing, for when speaking of Wisdom's house, he says, " by knowledge are its chambers filled with all pleasant and precious riches." And in our school, as the report states, in the case of that dear child taken home to glory, through God's blessing, by the Bible education afforded by our teacher's here, the chamber's of its young mind were furnished with pleasant and precious riches-namely, a saving knowledge of Christ. Oh! how encouraging must this be to you, dear teachers; with such a seal and token of the Lord's presence and blessing you will never more be weary in well doing. Let our teachers reflect, that every child in the school is like some outline picture, placed before them in God's providence, which they are called upon to fill up-to lay on the colors appropriately and correctly. Or, to use another figure, with which our ladies are so familiar, the child may be compared to a piece of embroidery, of which the pattern is traced out in God's word, and you are called in God's providence to fill in the needle-work. Dear Christian friends, you who are teachers in our schools, keep rigidly to your pattern; follow the scriptures closely; we want no freewill, no human merit, but adhering to the truths of God, and depending upon God's saw a plot of ground occupied with upright bare sticks or stems. What are they for, I asked? They are for grafting upon, said my friend. Our standard rose-trees are produced, said he, by grafting slips into these stems. So it is with our children: they are stems, with roots-never-dying souls; and may we strive by a Bible education, through faith and prayer, to graft in the hearts of the dear children, which by nature are like bare stems, slips from off the Rose of Sharon, that they may yield in due time the fragrance and the beauty of a gracious conformity to Christ's lovely image. We have an instance in God's word-you know the Bible is my text book, so I may quote it-of a child becoming a mission. ary. I allude to the little maid, who had been carried captive into Assyria. There was a great man there who stood high with the king, he was rich and powerful; but he was a leper. This sad disease was as a worm which preyed upon the vitals of his every comfort. "Would to God that my lord was with the prophet that is in Samaria," said the little maid, he would heal him of this leprosy. We all know the result. There were no Sabbath Schools then, it is true, but that which is identical with them, there was a Godly education: this had familiarized the little maid with the prophet, and had produced in her young mind faith in the prophet's power. Who can tell, then, how God may hereafter employ the dear boys and girls of our Sabbath Schools. Let me say to such of you as are here, God may honor you to become his missionaries. But let me add a word to any parents who may be here. Do your children frequent the Sabbath Schools ? Oh no, say you, mine are above that! Nay, but thou art wrong, we want the well trained in the school to excite emulation in the young minds of other. If God in his providence has given you advantages, in position and connections, we want your children in our schools, that others not so favored may be induced to press on in the pursuit of advantages, which they may see so becoming; by example and emulation much may be done. You say your children do not belong to the school. What! have you left them as hostages in the hands of sin and Satan? Do you meditate a return to them, or are you content to part company at Zion? When Moses led the ancient people of God out of Egypt, Pharoah was very desirous of detaining the little ones; but God would not have it so. Pharoah thought the men were a complaining, obdurate race, and he saw in the little ones a nation in embryo. But God would have Israel together |