From the exception he takes to this definition, I conclude he is a "Strict Communion Baptist." But he afterwards says, "Neither will I join with those who will respect no one's opinion but their own." If he here refers to Baptists practising Strict Communion as "respecting no one's opinion but their own,” it would appear that "N. L." is an open or mixed communionist; but if he simply dissents (irrespective of Baptism and the Lord's Supper) from that exclusiveness exhibited by some Strict Communion Baptists, I heartily join with him.

N. L. says with respect to the extract from the Colchester trust deed, "Whether the Law would confirm or annul it is a matter of opinion." The Law has decided the point in the Norwich Chapel case, and the word "Particular" is not sufficient (as is clearly shown in the decision of the Master of the Rolls) to carry with it Strict Communion."

I cannot see with "N. L." that the "Strict brethren" are to blame for the “drifting into open or mixed communion." Having discovered

that the term "Particular" was no longer definite enough, I submit that it was wise to use the term "Strict Communion," and I do not think that a conscientious abiding by the principles of Strict Communion should he branded as "bigotry," as it very frequently is. Surely if the practice of Strict Communion be "offensive to other churches or individuals," we are not to blame; God having, we believe, led us to receive it, we are bound to follow it at all risks. The Arminians call upon us to give up the doctrines of sovereign grace, and call us "bigots" because we will not. The Episcopalians require us to give up our independency of judgment, and ignore us because we cannot; and open or mixed communionists desire us to lay aside "Strict Communion," and because we dare not, we are designated

66

'bigots." Thus we must part with doctrines and ordinances, or we cannot be recognized.

The open communion churches are rapidly increasing, and I have frequently found among the members of

our Strict Communion churches much indecision upon this point, and many will, I fear, when a favourable opportunity occurs, desert us, or join in introducing mixed communion.

Surely, "N. L.," in his last paragraph, does not mean that he can point to ministers who would practise open communion, but are afraid of being "discountenanced by the Strict men." If so, where is their individual liberty?

In conclusion, I would again press upon churches in drawing up their trust deeds—not to rely upon the term "particular," but introduce therein a "Strict Communion" clause. With Christian regards, I am yours truly, JOSEPH THRIFT.

82, Windsor Road, Holloway,
Aug. 3, 1867.

"UP AND DOING-FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.”

66

[We have lately received several letters, and a roll of manuscripts from a young -who is man-a Christian young man— greatly exercised with desires earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints." We will give a few lines from one of his notes. Addressing The Editor of the Earthen Vessel, he says:-]

“Your name is respected by me as the defender of the glorious doctrine of Free, Sovereign Grace; and a staunch opponent of the God-dishonouring sentiments of Armini

anism.

"I consider myself a most remarkable instance of God's free mercythe son of Papists, educated at a Catholic boarding-school (Sedgley Park, Wolverhampton); an assistant at their altar ceremonies; my father, the founder of a Catholic mission in London, and maintainer of a Catholic priest in his house-I myself a blasphemer, and everything that is bad. I was the last object in the world that you would suppose to change himself; in fact, it is simply ridiculous to infer it. God not only very remarkably changed my whole being, but has implanted within me a burning desire to be up and doing for

His honour and glory. Since my conversion, I have deplored my ignorance of God's holy Word; but studiously and incessantly given all my mind and leisure to obtaining the desired knowledge. God has wonderfully blessed me; the pastor who received me (by believer's baptism) into the Church has remarked at it. I am determined in my disposition, and though so young in God's service, a most determined advocate for the doctrines, generally termed Calvinistic. My own eyes were derfully opened by the perusal of a certain work published by you some years back, entitled Gospel Times. I succeeded in obtaining nearly all the numbers, and no money should or could purchase them of me. I prize them next to the Bible, as the most precious thing in my possession.

won

"In my combats for the truth, I have had quoted to me-and put in my hands as a clencher-a book, entitled, 'Reflections on Religion,' by Lorenzo Dow, certainly Arminianism under its most revolting form and worst aspect.

As this is a work belonging to a champion of Arminianism, I have determined to answer it (with assistance called from other authors). I began it as a means of better exercising myself in Scripture, which of course has to be constantly applied to. The thought has struck me, would you allow it to appear? It is astonishing the indifference to doctrinal matter ask one in a hundred his ideas of Calvinism; and he hardly knows the meaning of the word. I mention the above, as I myself and many others were wonderfully benefitted by your Gospel Times, especially Conversations with the Dead."

NEW BOOKS.

"That Path that so few Persons are in." This sentence is found in the early part of a sermon by Rev. J. J. West, rector of Winchelsea, Sussex, headed, "THE GIVEN ALL ONES," and published by Mrs. Paul. We never look into Mr. West's sermons without feeling a solemn awe enter our spirit, and make us feel certain his appeals, his warnings, his expositions, and his references, both to the Word of God and to the sinner's heart, are more than the product of natural gift or studious preparation. Here is the opening paragraph of the sermon before us. Mr. West read his text: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out ;" and then he said "The path of a child of God is a path of suffering and exercise: and the chief exercise of every honest sinner is, that they are often unable to see that they are saved. Profession is one thing: possession is another! In these days of heresy and error, it is a solemn thing to stand up in a pulpit, and preach before our fellow-sinners the vast facts of the Gospel. It encouraged my own heart, under the exercise of coming here this evening to speak to you, that a hearer sent me a note, and said he was asking earnestly for me, that Jehovah would give me power in the pulpit to separate between the precious and the vile, and to point out to the persons who heard me that path that so few persons are in. Your city, vast as it is, may teem with churches and chapels, and speakers and preachers of all sorts and sizes; but there is only one path, and that is the trying path that Jehovah's few are in. The Psalmist says, speaking of his own experience, and he was not a hypocrite, for he was speaking under the immediate teaching of the Holy Spirit of God-'My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me.' Now, how many are there in this house who understand anything of that hard following of the soul? If,' said the Saviour, any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross

6

daily and follow me.'

How many

are there here that know what it is to bear a cross? Hezekiah, tried and exercised as he was, says—“ Behold for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.' Oh, my fellow sinners, what a mercy if you and I have the same experience that our sins, great and vast as they are, are are all so cast behind Jehovah's back that he cannot see them! We heard on Sunday, I think-' He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob; neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel.' Oh, what a God is our God, that though you and I are as full of sin from head to foot as the sea is full of salt water, yet God will not see sin in his people!"

The Great Fire; or, The Conflagration of the World. (A penny pamphlet, to be had at our offices, and at J. Paul's.) A solemn enquiry, as regards the end of this dispensation, has been the subject of some papers by Mr. James Wells, Mr. R. Govett, and others, in the weekly issue of The Gospel Guide. This pamphlet is the result of a careful and of a gifted geological and Biblical study. We have been urgently requested to issue it for the good of our fellow-men. It first appeared in the Rev. E. Nangle's "Achill Herald."

The Substance of Things Hoped for, &c. This Shilling octavo contains over sixty pages of close, critical, and expository refutations of Mr. James Grant's three volumes, "The End of All things. The author of this pamphlet is Major-General Goodwyn, whose large volume, Antitypical Parallels," is now become a work of much value to many Christians in these times. The Major is a truly God-fearing and most devoted man; and however difficult some may find it to follow him, we are persuaded spiritual edification will be the result of a careful perusal of his works. We can send a copy of the pamphlet to any address, for 13 stamps.

The honourable and laborious William Beard, minister of Malmesbury, died July 22nd, 1867, in the 76th year of his age. Hetravelled and preached the Gospel many years.

"WRITE ICHABOD

EVERYWHERE !"

see

THIS is the stern commandment of a country minister, who can nothing in his vision but desolation. He says, "B- has run from his family, and left them destitute." Sad leap! This "B" was a country tailor. He left sitting on the board, and commenced standing in the pulpit. But his gifts, or his devotions, or his attractions, or his decisions, or his something, was not sufficient to obtain for him such a large and respectable audience as could make a gentleman of him, so the poor fellow was always out at the elbows. Sometimes he changed his church; at other times he altered his creed. All kinds

Let

of efforts, but none were permanently successful; so, at last, he flies off, and leaves all. We are sorry for him. Could he have been an industrious tailor and a devout occasional minister, he might have done well. this be a warning to young men. Then our correspondent tells us to write "Ichabod" everywhere, because a young Irishman run into the big college, and was made up into a minister, and being duly qualified and commissioned, he is planted among the sweetest hop-gardens in the world; but that would not do. Then he is exalted to the antiquarian throne of the Metropolis; that would not do. Then he raises the stormy wind of Revivalism in the black country, which "grew small by degrees, and beautifully less;" so that would not do. Well, these are no new things they are no arguments why we should yet "write Ichabod everywhere." Nay, indeed; the Lord is alive, and will reign for ever. The Church is alive, and is saved for ever. The Gospel is alive, and will have its friends for ever. The glory is not departed. The glory of the Lord shall shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.

We are pained to learn that that truly good man, the Rev. W. Parks, of Openshaw, near Manchester, has been very ill for some months. The Gospel Magazine announces a testimonial is to be presented to him. Mr. Edwin Slater, of 129, Market street, Manchester, receives subscriptions.

[The following is given to show how the

grace of God doth endear the truth of the Gospel, and the saints and servants of the Most High, when its recipients are in distant lands, at the ends of the earth, as David once was; as some of us-once unhappy ones-have been. We are glad to find this young friend is still with his face Zionward.-ED.] TO MR. CHARLES WATERS BANKS.-When I wrote you last November, I hoped I might be able to report the discovery of some hidden branch of the church in these parts; but not having been removed from Lynchburg since my anticipations have proved unfruitful; nevertheless, I cannot refrain from writing now.

I feel

a pleasure, having a few things in my heart and upon my mind, of which, for some little time past, I have felt a desire to speak.

I receive regularly the EARTHEN VESSEL, Mr. J. Wells's sermons, Cheering Words, &c., and rejoice in receiving those heavenly souvenirs from such a distance. My mind always becomes solemnized when I open my package and peruse the contents. I feel a love warmer and warmer going out towards the people by whom those select publications are supported, and their testimonies maintained, yet, while I rejoice, I have often felt my soul weep because of the harsh words some good people have used towards others of God's people, instead of speaking and acting in love towards each other, " endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;" that is, in Jesus Christ.

When, in a good publication I found some speaking of some of God's people as the EARTHEN VESSEL clique," a cold chill ran through my veins, causing my soul to shudder at the idea of that sentence appearing where it did. It has remained upon my mind; and I am grieved at such evils among God's family. Again, when I have found one good minister of God working against another, not allowing him difference of opinion (in things not prejudicial to the truths of the Gospel, in good faith), but taking up a general war against him, refusing to be reconciled, notwithstanding the magnanimous and brotherly hand of the other which has been most irreproachably and admirably held out, and in a very Christianlike manner; this thing has also grieved not myself alone, but hundreds beside.

You

will agree with me when I say it is good for the soul to find the people of God working together for good; it is good when they speak often one to another, submitting counsels, exchanging testimonies and uniting in praises; it does the soul good to witness prosperity among the churches; and I hope you may speedily attain to your desires, your contemplated church being built, notwithstanding the "troublous times," and a people blessed therein, devoted to the Lord, His people, and cause. We fain would find the Church flourishing exceedingly in favoured England, and desire that the Church grew in the United States, even as it doth there; here" the city" is indeed "low," the members whereof being subject also to much mourning, more so, I believe, than in England, generally speaking, but do we now get tired of the truth of God? No. We stick to that; the greater our prostration, the tighter our grasp upon the truth. The following quotation from a letter lately received from a venerable Christian of old standing in the truth, a deacon, will speak of the experience of thousands of God's tried little ones, myself among the number:-'I was glad to receive your kind letter of the 13th of June. I was glad you did not think the delay in writing was caused by indifference. I am frequently so dark in my mind, so full of doubts as to my title being clear to mansions above, that I fear to lead others to think that I am one of 'His;' when, perhaps, I am not.'

"Tis a point I long to know,

Oft it causes anxious thought;
Do I love the Lord or no?

Am I His, or am I not?'

I know and believe God has His chosen people, chosen in Christ ere the world began; that His promises are sure to them; and not one of them are, or shall be lost; but am I one of them? Is my name in the Lamb's Book of Life? were my sins, which are so numerous and heinous, 'nailed to His cross?' has He 'graven me upon the palms of' His hands,' These are the questions which cause me much anxiety, when I realize something of the dark depths of sin and depravity within, for I can truly say in me,' that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.' Thus you perceive, dear friend, I am not able to write a joyous letter; nothing but mourning, and if it is the right kind of

mourning, there should arise a little comfort; for He has said, 'Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.'"

When I read that letter, such Scriptures as the following came with sweetness to my mind, and of course my heart received them with welcome :-"Forasmuch then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He likewise Himself took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb. ii. 5.) "I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden," &c., &c. "The Lord shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places, make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, and thanksgiving, and the voice of melody" (Isa. lvii. 3), even though they may, perhaps, have to wait some of them for full comfort until the earthly tabernacle shall have been dissolved, yet they are not left altogether comfortless, for the Gospel is a comfort, more or less, to the child of God, for would it not be worse without the blessed Gospel of peace? Then, thank the Lord for the same, ten thousand times, again and again,they that sow in tears shall reap in joy; he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." O what a glorious and abundant harvest awaits the child of God, the "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ," and what sympathizing, kindly, friendly, and comforting communications we find in the Scriptures by the way, how by their unison with the vital experience of the Christian they become, of their divinity, an evidence strong as the threefold cord of salvation that cannot be broken. What spiritual and social intercourse may be said to be held between the Christian of to-day, and the Christian of thousands of years ago, by means of the Scriptures, that through patience and comfort of which we might have hope, and were it not for the recorded experiences of the church of old, I believe I should often have to give way to utter despair; but I thank and bless the Lord for "the corn of the valleys," while I wait for "the wheat, the oil, and the wine" from the tops of the mountains, "the heights of Zion." I have often to wait a long time with my face prostrate in the dust of selfabasement before I am favoured to stand upright and bask in the sunshine of Jesus

Christ, and then the great brilliancy of the illumination does not last long. I find I do not realize so many, nor so lengthy seasons of secured rest and joy as of old. but when those times re-appear, they will be all the sweeter, looking unto the source of my salvation. I often sympathize with those who sing

"Weary of earth, and self, and sin,
Dear Jesus, set me free;
And to thy glory take me in,
For there I long to be."

Meanwhile, I am thankful and glad indeed for the Scriptures, become more and more zealous of heart for the truth of God, warmer in my sympathies for the people of God, and in the same spirit have advanced the few lines herein contained.

Before I close, though perhaps I am rambling very much, I would like to make a few remarks concerning the Christian occupied with military duties, finding myself in the United States army (though by no means giving it the preference above a citizen's life of peace, not by a long way, a number of connected and unavoidable circumstances having brought me therein), and having received letters from time to time from Christians, expressing wonder that a Christian should voluntarily become enlisted therein, chinking perhaps my remarks might catch the eye of some Christian soldier who being troubled on this point might become more reconciled to his lot-I should say then in a few words, that war is an evil, but sometimes, and under certain circumstances, peace would prove a greater evil, and of two alternative inevitable evils, the least should be chosen, which thus becomes a moral necessity, according to the emergencies presented at the time being, and taking the war side, I would do so in the spirit of Joab, who, acting under orders from King David, arrayed his troops wisely in front of the enemy, and went to work soldierly and praiseworthily with the following good precedent on his lips, to his command, "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people and for the cities of our God, and let the Lord do that which seemeth him good." (2 Samuel, x.) The right-minded hate war; it is a horrible thing; their prayer would be with the Psalmist, "Scatter thou the people that delight in war;" they delight in peace, even while engaged in war, they rather desire peace, but the integrity, honour, security, and international intercourse of nations must of necessity be maintained even at the point of the bayonet, and a Christian soldier having sworn service, to "obey all lawful and proper orders" from superior officers, doeth so,