been blest here to immortal souls, one of whom died happy in the Lord, a short time previous to your last arrival. "It is our hope and prayer that the aid and protecting care of the Almighty will be with you in your journeyings through the colonies, and through life, and that the Holy Ghost will continue to give you many seals to your ministry wherever you may be. With every Christian regard to yourself and the friends at Sydney, we remain, dear sir, yours very truly in the bonds of the Gospel, T. S. Edgar, Henry Hinsby, Deacons. Before leaving the city of Hobart I visited Mount Wellington, and ascended the summit, 4,500 feet above the sea. There is one part of the mountain that has excited much wonder among excursionists,—I allude to the " Ploughed Field," as it is called. That immense pile of rounded stones has been, by some persons, looked upon as evidences of a terrible convulsion having taken place at a remote period. This immense heap of stones, piled one upon another, is made up of shattered columns of stone, which have been split off the side of the mountain by the action of the frost. The presence of frost, as a geological agent, is almost marvellous; and in this case we have a remarkable example of it. These stones, as is well known, present a very rough rasp-like surface, thereby affording a very secure footing to the mountain climbers. Having passed over this vast accumulation of shattered columns, and gained the summit of the mountain, we found ourselves, as it were, spell-bound by the magnificence of the panorama beneath, one indeed that might well defy the most graphic pen to do it justice. The effect upon the mind of the spectator is doubtlessly enhanced by contrast. All beneath him, so far as the eye can reach, typical of luxuriant life and repose. The dark green waving woods, the verdant fields, the gently undulating hills through which the noble "Derwent" flows in its fantastic course, with the city spreading upwards from its base, makes up a picture that contrasts strongly with the air of desolation and death which everywhere appears on the mountain brow. The Rocking-stone," as it is called, is a well-known object of interest, and has given rise to much speculation on the part of visitors, as to how it came to occupy such a position. As it is well known, this immense stone is poised upon another stone and can be made to oscillate by the ordinary strength of a man without being overturned. The belief entertained by geologists is, that it is a part of another column which, while falling, came in contact with the one that serves as a pedestal for it, and obtaining its equilibrium thereon has retained it ever since, although exposed at times to the most terrific gales of wind. I left Hobart-town by steamer for New Norfolk. We steamed our way up the beautiful Derwent in the pouring rain, a distance by water of about fifty miles. The scenery from this river is the most magnificent I have ever seen. When I arrived at the end of the journey I put up at the Bush Inn. I there discovered that I had, while in Hobarttown, fallen among thieves, and that they had taken possession of me without leave. In all my travels I have never before met with the like. I have been in perils of storms, in perils of bush-rangers, in perils in the bush, in perils in the sea. I have been in perils among men, among bugs, fleas, sandflies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, mice, dogs, native cats, snakes, scorpions, &c., &c., but never before have I been seized upon and taken possession of by the dirty, filthy wretches that I have not here named. Oh, the beasts! I had no idea of such things. While at New Norfolk I was requested by the Government to exhibit my dissolving views to the inmates of the Lunatic Asylum; there were about 300 present; the proceedings passed off in a highly satisfactory manner; the lecture and exhibition was much appreciated by those present, and was concluded by a warm expression of thanks. Many of the poor creatures came and shook hands with me, and declared that it was the happiest time that they had ON Tuesday, January 7th, 1867, the farewell meeting at Salem chapel, Meard's crt., Soho, was holden, when several hundreds took tea, and were addressed by Sir John Thwaites, who presided; Messrs. Foreman, Milner, Collins, and other ministers, among whom was Mr. William Stokes, of Manchester. As a fair and rather full report of the meeting was given in Gospel Guide, No. 135, we do not report the same here, as most of our readers either have, or can read it in that paper; besides, we expect to publish the two last sermons in a compact, neat, and entire form, and may append thereto a faithful account of the meeting; therefore we only add the following address by Mr. W. Stokes, of Manchester, which not having been issued before, will be entirely new to all our readers. Mr. William Stokes, of Manchester, begged permission to say a few words. Coming as he did from the North, he, perhaps knew more than any other person present of the district to which Mr. Bloomfield was about to depart. For his own part, he had never been convinced by the reasons assigned for the departure of Mr. Bloomfield from London. To him it appeared that Mr. B. had been useful, and by preaching among SO many churches in and around London, he had acted on the great command, "preach the Gospel to every creature." However, Mr. B. was the best judge of his own duty, and it was not for any other person to dictate to him that duty. But in the district to which he was removing he would find the theological sentiment fearfully low, and but few churches really strict in their communion. Of the various churches in Bradford he (Mr. S.) believed their was but one strict, and that was the one of which our brother was about to become the pastor. That was the largest church in the North. There was not another so numerous in Leeds, or Liverpool, or Manchester, though they were much more populous towns. The late pastor of that church was an excellent man and a very superior preacher. He had been for a time secretary or other officer, to the Rawdon College, which it was feared, did not much over favour strict communion. Should our dear brother Bloomfield maintain his standing there amid the debilitating influences around; he would prove a general blessing, and be like some elevated mountain top on which the sun of heaven ever shines. But if from any cause he might fail, yet, maintaining the pure truth of God, there were churches both in and out of London who would welcome him back again as one who had contended for the faith. There was however an alternative, and that was just the possibilily of his being melted down to the level of things around him. He (Mr. S.) had in his mind's eye a case of that sort which occurred not long ago in that district, where a man went among them sound, but left another, he would not say a better man. He sincerely trusted that our beloved brother would be preserved from such an affliction; and that at the end of his career he might be able to exclaim, "I have kept the faith." SURREY TABERNACLE. MIDNIGHT services were holden this year in the New Surrey Tabernacle, when Mr. James Wells preached a sermon at near midnight to over a thousand people; it was a most solemn service. Mr. James Mitson, in a letter to THE GOSPEL GUIDE, says: At the appointed time, Mr. Wells, accompanied by three of his deacons, Messrs. Carr, Edwards, and Beach, came upon the platform, and gave out that beautiful hymn— "Grace, 'tis a charming sound." After which brother Smith was sweetly led out in prayer, proving that he had a deep experience in the things of God. Another hymn was then sung, and Mr. Fothergill came forward, like a giant refreshed with new wine, and entreated the Lord's blessing on the pastor, church, and congregation. Mr. Carr followed by giving out the 411th hymn, in which the people joined heartily in singing. Mr. Wells then preached an appropriate and impressive sermon, taking for his text Revelation xxii. 5, There shall be no night there." The sermon is printed. This part of the service finishing just before twelve, profound silence was observed until the clock had declared the death of the Old and the birth of the New year. Another hymn was then sung, and Mr. Wells made a few suitable remarks, the Benediction was pronounced, and thus ended one of the happiest services held by the Surrey Tabernacle congregation." THE TESTIMONIAL TO MR. J. A. JONES. On January 15th, the friends of this old Baptist minister, presented the expressions of their regard to this veteran of fifty-eight years' labour among them. Mr. Foreman, who had had with him friendly intercourse forty-eight years, was solicited to present it, which he did after an address in matter and manner most appropriate. It was solemnly and touchingly affecting to the Christian souls present, to see this labourer of the Lord's in his eighty-eighth year, rise and say, how he wished he had words as of yore to say what he felt at such generous kindness which could raise for him £65, (it was made up to £66). As he stood there without, apparently, any direct disease, so feeble and exhausted, yet in voice, for a time, so strong and clear, with countenance so vivacious in earnestness and fire, and determination as bold for truth as ever, at the same time, so softened with the strong presentiment that he must ere long be called to his eternal home, which, he said, he was waiting for, seeing no enemy in death, and drawing support and blessing from the enjoyment of those truths he had so long preached, and so often defended from the press, and was ready to do so again, had the bodily powers been continued him. So with repeated thanks to each, and all who had contributed to this friendly memorial, he sat down. He rose again frequently, however, as the speakers brought past mottoes to his mind, and related interesting reminiscences of his family and ministerial life. Mr. Stokes, of Manchester, Mr. Anderson, now the editor of the "Voice of the Truth," and Mr. Hawkins, of Tunbridge Wells, delivered addresses. The tea meeting was largely attended, and the meeting filled Jireh chapel in every part. Mr. Ponsford, an old friend, prayed at the commencement, and Mr. Foreman concluded this interesting meeting; the like cannot often be enjoyed in this dying world. The committee of the above fund have great pleasure in laying before the contributors, a short statement of the amount subscribed, and tender their most sincere thanks. Cards were issued to the following friends : Miss M. A. S. 3s; Miss A. A. S. 2s 6a; Mr. Foreman £1; Mr. Wilson £2; Mr. Buckoke £6 2s; Mr. Freeman £2; Mr. Topley £1 15s 6d; Mr. Rennard £3 10s; Mr. Sawyer £8 15; Mr. Minton £4, 3s 6d; Mr. Briscoe £1 7s; Mr. Parsons £4 2s; Mr. Cooper £1 10s 6d; Mr. Dinham £1; Mr. Bloomfield 10s 6d; Mr. Miluer £1; Mr. Ashby £2; Mr. Carr £1 78; Mr. Crowther £5; Mrs. Barnett 3s; Mr. Comb £1; Mr. Wills £1; Mrs. Avery £6 7s; Mrs. Pocock £6 1s; Mr. Evans 10s; Mr. Paris £2 2s; Miss Salmon £2 2s Total £66 13s 6d: Expenses deduct 19s. £65 14s 6d. The presentation took place Tuesday evening, January 15th, 1867, Mr. J. Foreman in the chair. The service was commenced by singing. Mr. Ponsford implored the Divine blessing. The chairman then took a retrospective view of the ministerial labours of our dear old friend, who, as he stated, had always remained faithful to his sentiments, the Father's choice, the Son's redemption and the work of the Holy Spirit. He then presented a purse containing £65 14s. 6d. When our dear aged brother, with some considerable emotion, acknowledged the same, Mr. Stokes, of Manchester, followed with a few remarks, very truthful, and to the purpose. Mr. Anderson, in a few words, then addressed the meeting in a solemn and weighty manner, proving that he was standing fast by the good old truths. Mr. Hawkins then spoke very much to the purpose, and thanked the friends who had contributed on behalf of the family; concluded by singing 881st hymn, Denham's. Mr. Foreman said they were not met to idolize the man, but recognise the grace of God bestowed on him for so many years, as a champion for Gospel truth and Gospel ordinances. They rejoiced in his decision for the council of God, and met to show their love to truth and to the Lord's servant, that he might feel no burden about this world; hence, his friends had collected £65 14s. 6d., which he now presented in their names. Mr. Jones rose, and said it was almost too much for him, but he thanked the Lord; and the friends he knew not how to do so, he was an old man, but the truths he had been enabled to preach so many years were his stay; he was "not afraid to die," he knew whom he had believed. Mr. William Stokes, of Manchester, then addressed the meeting, and said, he regarded it as a privilege to be present on such an occasion, and to speak in the presence of one so venerable and worthy as the aged brother now before them. Long before he had known him personally, he had respected him highly for his manifold labours on behalf of the church of God. Many of his works he had read with great interest and profit, especially the tract by Dr. Gill, on "Church Establishments, Moore's Four Sermons, Bunhill Memorials, and others, some of which had been republished, and the rest written by their venerable friend, Mr. Jones; and he (Mr. Stokes) was under no mean obligation to their aged pastor, for on one occasion, when he mentioned his regret that he had not a copy of Ness's Antidote, Mr. Jones immediately, and most kindly sent him one; so also with Moore's Sermons, and a number of tracts besides. He also condescended to insert in his recollections some verses that he (Mr. Stokes) had written on the occasion of Mr. Jones's ministry, and all this time they had never seen each other. But that which most attached the venerable man to his (Mr. S's) heart, was the unbending fidelity to principle, the honest and unflinching declaration of truth, the unaltered love to the church of God, which he had maintained through more than fifty years of ministerial life. None could say that he was ever a changeling; none could charge upon him that he was one thing one day and something else another. You might as well attempt to move a mountain as to move him from his settled, solid conviction. Instant in season, out of season, he was ever the same; and now in his eighty-eighth year he was the same devoted friend to the truth of God that he was when he began his ministry. But where shall we look for a worthy successor? Soon there must be a blank; but when Elijah ascends in his chariot, upon whose shoulders will his mantle rest? That we must leave to God. And now, dear brother, (addressing Mr. Jones and extending his right hand) let me express to you the warm wish of my heart, that like as a shock of corn, fully ripe, cometh in his season, may you be gathered into the garner of your God. Mr. Anderson next spoke, who said it was worth coming to hear one give such a testimony to the power of faith and confidence of eternal salvation; and truly in this day of change, it gave much consolation to feel the mantle of Elijah fall upon Elisha. It was gratifying to hope it was so in their brother Stokes, who appeared to be taking the place of our venerated brother in his publications of Gospel truth. Mr. Hawkins (son-in-law of Mr. Jones), spoke of what Mr. Jones' ministry was to him, and that he thought when he first heard him, there was no man like him, with such light and savour was the word preached, and such it had been to very many, the power of God unto salvation, consolation, edification, and praise. Brethren Myerson, Thurston, Flory, Beazley, &c., were present, but could not speak for want of time. Mr. Jones is weak, and could not stand long at a time, but spoke frequently in the course of the evening; his mind is strong, so is his voice. He does not preach now, not rising till five o'clock in the afternoon. We think he administers the ordinance, otherwise they have supplies. The writer had Mr. Jones' edition of Dr. Gill's Body of Divinity more than twenty years ago, which was to him a great boon, Gill's works then being very scarce. After singing "Let the sweet hope that thou art mine, J. FLORY. A LETTER FROM MR. ABRAHAM HOWARD, OF BIRMINGHAM. MINISTERS are public men; they are the property of the church. If they shine and do well, it is beneficial; if they do ill, it is injurious; if they are mis-represented, it is quite necessary they should have the opportunity of explaining, and of defending themselves. We have known Mr. Abraham Howard from his earliest days in the ministry. We were instrumental, we be lieve, in his going to Birmingham. We were delighted, and sincerely thankful, when we saw his success and his acceptance there. We have also been on friendly Christian terms with Mr. Thomas Drew, Mr. Henry Drew, and Mr. Vallis, the deacons of the Constitution hill Baptist church, in Birmingham; and we have thought, no men ever worked harder,-that no men ever made greater sacrifices in order to raise a Strict Baptist cause of truth, than those men did. When Mr. Howard resigned his ministry among them, we were surprised, and sorry; when Mr. Abraham Howard, and some of the friends with him, retired from Constitution hill, and returned to their original meeting-house, in Charlotte street, we were grieved exceedingly. Still, we could not tell how far it might be the Lord's will to raise two causes there instead of one. There is plenty of room, hundreds of thousands of people; therefore, in giving Mr. Drew's explanation of their division and separation, we did think we were rendering service to the one great cause, especially as the church on Constitution hill, all spoke highly of Mr. Howard, and wished him well, as we also did ourselves, and do unto this day. When Mr. Howard wrote us a long letter, we submitted it to one of his friends, who thought with us, it would be better not to insert it. We have delayed, but from many quarters we have been accused of injustice in withholding it which is a charge we will not submit to. Seeing, therefore, that Mr. Howard has forwarded us a second, and revised edition of his letter, we shall now proceed to give it, premising there are some things in the letter which may call for a few words from us, if we continue to think of it as we have done in perusing it. We usually revise and correct manuscript letters for the press; but, in this case we wish to avoid any charge of alteration, or of not giving Mr. Howard's letter fairly, therefore, verbatim, as written, it is here presented:: MR. EDITOR,-As I have afore said to you, and I think it will also appear evident to all, or I should have hastened ere now to have spoken. It is not from an anxious disposition of my own mind to come before your readers, with a plea in defence of my late relation and behaviour to, and separation from, the Baptist church, Constitution hill, Birmingham; but, as a common and open feeling of surprise has been awakened and expressed in Birmingham and elsewhere, that a magazine, for which I have frequently pleaded, should admit letters so false and injurious alike to myself and the cause of truth and righteousness, without any reply from myself; and the more is the surprise as, after an elapse of six months, I will re-awaken the memory and feelings of anguish silently borne, and now partially forgotten, severe and terrible as was the ordeal at the time of enduring. I now, sir, crave of you, first, to admit immediately this my answer to Mr. T. Drew; and then, second, my reply to Mr. Williamson, if need be. Please let me speak for myself; I know God will help me. At present I will be scarcely aggressive of a truth; I ought to embrace many things; I will, however, strive to be defensive of these two published letters only. The obloquy cast upon me by them I can with facility remove; and I will do so. My apology to your readers, for the tone I have indulged in my reply to Mr. Williamson, and will, perhaps, be seen in this is the words of the apostle, "I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled ine, though I be nothing." 2 Cor. xii. 11. Now, the letter of your correspondent, Mr. T. Drew, if nothing worse, it would be mere dross; but it is worse-it is slanderous, writing or defaming the reputation of an unoffending young minister, as I will now proceed to show. 1st. The letter says, "After much prayer, myself and brother deacons set to work, and, as we believe, were led to the present place." There is not, sir, a person, either of church or congregation, with whom I have conversed on this movement; nor do I think there is one person of any conscience or discernment in the Gospel, but has openly,or will now silently deny this; for every one knows less special prayer and waiting before the Lord could not, in a matter so important, have been done with. 2nd. Says this letter, as soon as Mr. Howard saw the new place he exclaimed, "We must have this if I go out and preach for it." I admit, sir, this word "exclaim" to be an hyperbole. I did not cry out. I may have said so mary words; I cannot now distinctly remember the precise words of my lips; and if I said so, is it matter of surprise when, on the evening previous to this same morning, from the pressure and heat in the crowded meeting-room,three respectable persons fainted, the sermon was broken in two, and service suspended for the space of twenty minutes? Add to this also, I had been spoken to regarding going out to preach; and places were pointed out to me in view of obtaining another place of worship. Moreover, if I said so, on the moment of first seeing this place, when leaving it the second time of our seeing it, as I crossed the entrance threshold, with Mr. Drew in conversation, he said, "Ó, I don't mind taking this place for seven years upon myself." I gently laid my hand on his arm, just as his own son might have done, as a misgiving feeling_arose in my heart regarding the step, and I said, "Oh, do not do that; if it should not succeed see the terrible burthen you would incur." Besides this, sir, Mr. T. Drew knows full well how myself, with his own brother, Mr. H. Drew, deacon, possessed continually strong feelings of doubt regarding the new place, in every ad. vancing step; and so also does my once warm friend Mr. V., deacon, and others also. Is it, then, Christian-like; is it right to take this said "exclamation" in this abstract form, as though I had joined my encouragement and assurance of help, in leading on to the opening of this new place? Verily, no. 3rd. The letter says, The three deacons, and a kind friend, took the matter in hand, becoming trustees for seven years, and went to work to make the alterations. Scarcely had we done so when, after one of our Monday evening prayer meetings, to my great surprise Mr. Howard came to my house after ten o'clock, and said he had made two attempts to come to ask me a question, which was, Would it make any difference to our arrangements about the new chapel, if he were to say he was not going to stay.' I was surprised at the question; but replied,Certainly not.'" Here, sir, I feel Mr. Drew should have explained, he is a commercial man, and leaving home next morning early for a week or two; in consequence of which it would have been utterly inexpedient to defer any question of importance. Mr. Drew also knows that my coming twice, and returning then a third time before I knocked at his door at so late an hour, arose simply from the deep oubts and strong misgivings of the issue then taking place in my heart, which the true servants of God, both ministers and deacons, have been wont to know much about, in times of Divine reality, and warm spirituality in the Church of God. Verily, indeed, much more so than now; only when in our growing boyish days the new elders, ministers, deacons, and editors, caused us to feel religion as a blessed, sacred, heavenly-saving thing, whether we possessed it or not, and not the dry, profitless, world-like, and often bitterly painful thing it now seems to have become; comparatively few, indeed, seem to know the inner depths of sore soul travail for the house of Jacob, or joy, or the fruits thereof, at present; God, however, knoweth me altogether, if men, if deacons do not. Yet, sir, that your readers could not arrive at any just conclusion on this matter of my visit to Mr. Drew's house, from one snatched expression out of a conversation lasting till near midnight, Mr. Drew very well knows; and if he was surprised at my coming Mrs. Drew received it kindly, and gave me her thanks. 4th. This letter says, " I placed in Mr. Howard's hands a copy of our rules, thinking if he should intend settling amongst as he would then be able to assent or dissent; but after a week he gave them back to me without a re mark." Sir, near to the close of last year Mr. Drew gave me the book of newly printed rules as above. A cloud was then gathering; an unhallowed spirit in covert I knew was already working. The Lord, however, caused me to be steadfast and faithful in my small measure, by hts gracious Spirit and the word; but his gracious power and presence in the worship I knew was departing, and I should but a little while maintain my place; knowing this I deemed it prudent to return the rules without remark. (To be concluded next month.) RICHMOND, SURREY.-Our earliest recollections of Richmond-stretching back upwards of twenty years-are pleasantly associated with reminiscences of the venerable Mr. Wild, an aged, experimental, warm-hearted, Christian gentleman, who devoted his time, means and ability, to the furtherance of the cause of truth in this place. His honourable position in the town gave an influence and importance to any movement with which he was allied; and his firm attachment to the fundamental truths of our faith, was a guarantee that neither countenance or support to "any other Gospel" might be expected at his hand. But, notwithstanding these advantages, the Strict Baptists have never yet held a very prominent position here, and no very successful Church has yet existed. The first Baptist chapel here was erected by Mr. Wild, and was opened on Friday, April 17th, 1829; it is situated in Kew Foot lane; and owing to the difficulty that was experienced in obtaining the ground for such a purpose it was named "Rehoboth." At the end of the same year in which the chapel was opened (on the 17th of December) the church was formed when "James and Elizabeth Wild and James Martin, gave each other the right hand of fellowship; after which five more were added to them, and thus the first Strict Baptist church i |