total abolition of American slavery itemorials af Departed Saints. is the election of one of the greatest antislavery speakers in the American Congress, as Speaker in the House of Representatives. The anticipated eruption between this country and America, we hope will pass over. But there are many circumstances which appear to call for humble gratitude and earnest supplication from our British churches. Before closing these brief remarks with reference to "Our present condition," we must notice the urgent appeal laid before us by an elderly Christian matron, touching "the deceptive philosophy" which now stands in the room of "plain gospel truth," in some of our largest metropolitan and provincial places of worship. We could demonstrate this; but we will rather beseech our ministerial brethren who know, love, and have bought THE TRUTH, to do their utmost to promote union, strength, peace, and prosperity, in the midst of our churches. These are not times to let shadows divide us. DEATH OF THE WIDOW OF THE LATE MR. JAMES RAYNSFORD. WE have received the following from Mr. Henry Watmuff, of Brighton : widow of the late James Raynsford a month The subjoined letter I received from the after his death. Only seven weeks elapsed before she is called to tread the same path. On the 19th of February, she entered into rest, in her 64th year. On her last Lord'sday morning on earth she had some conversation with her beloved minister: his subject that morning being "The saints in light," their inheritance, their meetness, &c. Mrs. Raynsford was, in her sphere, a shining Christian, of a meek, humble, and quiet spirit; throughout her life, she endeavoured to do what good she could both to the bodies DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE. and souls of all that came within her circle, A NEW No. II. www ANATHEMA-The Hebrew word, Cherem, and the Greek Anathema, which our version often renders accursed, signifies anything devoted, dedicated, or separated from common to holy uses. Lev. xxvii, 28; Num. xxviii. 14; Deut. vii. 26. The word Cherem is often used for destroying a thing utterly as accursed. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only; he shall be utterly destroyed, be accursed, anathematized, devoted to destruction. Exod. xxii. 20. The cities of king Arad, and the seven nations of Canaan were also anathematized; Num. xxi. 1-3; Deut. vii. 2, 26; xx. 17: and for forfeiting goods, Ezra x. 8. The hanged malefactors were all under God's anathema, Deut. xxi. 23. On behalf of his brethren, the Israelites, Paul wished himself accursed from Christ; not to be eternally, separated from Christ not to be eternally damned, that they might be saved, but excommunicated from the church, the body of Christ; Rom. ix. 3. Paul pronounces an anathema on all preachers of righteousness by the works of the law; Gal i. 8, 9. To call Jesus accursed, is to separate his proper deity from his humanity, as the Socinians do: to deny his full satisfaction for sin, as the Arminians do; to detest the doctrines of his grace, as the Pharisees do; to excommunicate him out of our sermons, as the Corruptionists do; to trample on his blood, as Infidels do; and to erucify him afresh as Apostates do. Paul says, "if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema;" let him be separated from the church, and rejected by the saints. The Apostle doubtless refers to the false preachers who have denied the resurrection, and those fallen professors who had been guilty of incest, and other impurities; but he adds "maranatha," which being joined to the other word, intends their final separation from Christ, who cometh to denounce on all the ungodly, "go ye cursed." 1 Cor. xvi. 22. S.C. without exception; and that with comparatively nothing, in the shape of money; but she possessed "the good treasure," and that very largely (Luke vi. 45), and from her abundance gave what she had. Her benevolence reached to wherever she met an object of distress; and would not forget to warn her neighbours, by sending them little pieces of poetry-written in homely verse, but from a warm and affectionate heart-either on their state as sinners, or on the character of Christ's kingdom, &c. It being also her usual pratice, in writing to friends, to send poetry along with it. I enclose the last to me, in her last letter, which will speak for itself of the nature of her faith, without one word said of her. Those who knew her best prized her worth. Her husband had nothing to leave her, but on his dying bed supplicated the best of blessings might rest on her, and commended her to the Church of Christ. A kind friend of brother Mote's Church, to whom she belonged, took her in, and with some other little assistance, as her letter to the writer states; she was with Mrs. Manvil till called from the lower to the celestial city. H. W. DEARLY BELOVED in our glorious risen Head, Jesus, the Captain of our salvation; through whose mercy and goodness I have been upheld through all the trying scenes of my poor unworthy life. How much of his goodness and mercy have I seen! I could love and praise him more. Oh! that Beloved in the Lord, I humbly beg your pardon for not writing before. But I will tell you, in the first place, I had to move, then to attend to my parish business; and all this, with breaking my rest so much before, and taking a heavy cold I sank down so low, that I kept my bed for many days, not able to think aright or see any one; and my cough so bad that I could not read, or write, nor hardly speak sometimes. Please to give our kind love to Mr. John Leaves and tell him we shall be very glad to hear from him at any time. I hope these few lines will find you all quite well. The parish has allowed me 2s. 6d. per week, which is about enough for rent and firing; I am not able at present to earn anything if I had it to do. But Jehovah is my Shepherd, therefore I shall not lack: God feedeth the ravens when they cry; and he can make the ravens feed me, if need be; they fed the prophet Elijah. "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." And while I have got one single promise, I have no cause to fear. "I will trust, and not be afraid. Though the hills may depart, and the earth be removed, yet God will never cease to care for his dear saints; for he is a stronghold in the day of trouble; yea, a Refuge in distress." Beloved in the Lord, I must now close, All wishing you much joy in the Lord. friends join with us in our kind love to you! all; and I remain your afflicted sister in gospel bonds, SARAH RAYNSFORD. A PRAYER FOR PEACE. THOU blessed Tree of Life, Whose leaves are ever green, And let sweet peace be given. With every bitter deed; To pass out of the land, MRS. ANN SCRAGGS. ON Friday, the 8th February, 1856, Mrs. Aun Seraggs, of High Wycombe, departed this life. It was under the ministry of Mr. Tiptaft, of Abingdon, the Lord in mercy made her feel her state as a sinner, and the worth and preciousness of Christ. She was baptised and added to the Church there in 1842. Of Mr. Tiptaft, she would speak very highly as an instrument used by her covenant God; the truth she heard met her case, and refreshed her soul. In Providence she was removed to Wycombe, and feeling a union to the members at New Land Chapel, she joined the church September, 1848. Abundant evidence was afforded that she loved the doctrines of free and Sovereign grace, and her only hope of salvation was built upon Christ, the Rock. She loved the cause of which she had become a member, not merely in words but in actions. lt was seen in her constant attendance as long as she The last year or two she did not get out much; her affliction (paralysis) at last rendering her very helpless, yet at times she would speak of her Mizar's Hill and Hermon's mount. Her religion began well, she felt what it was to be regenerated; to have life divine implanted, which could not die: hence, though disease impaired her faculties at last, yet God's fire in her soul would burn, and at times blaze forth: that light could not be extinguished, and the savour of truths were at times felt. On the 7th she had another fit, and expired carly on the 8th, to go home to her Father, to see him as he is, and ever there to stay. "Oh! what enlargement, who can tell Dear reader, you see the power of grace in this disciple of Jesus; not much of a talker; but look at her love to God's house, and his people. Do you place beyond dispute your profession of Jesus? Do your acts speak that you "seek first the kingdom of God?" What does your attendance say? What does your subscription say? What does the world, you have professed to leave, say? You, perhaps, may sing loud enough sometimes, "Where the whole realm of nature mine, Demands my soul, my life, my all." But do you feel what you sing? What has most of your time? When the cause you have espoused needs collections to carry it on, are you doing what you can? Calculate how much your quarterly subscription does towards furnishing your pastor's table, or helping the Lord's poor. You had better have a little reckoning now, for what God gives, is not our own; and what is done for him cannot be thrown away or lost; neither can witholding enrich us, or make us happy. not serve two masters; and his servants ye are We want more heart to whom ye obey." religion amongst us; more of Christ's constraining love to every good word, and work. "Ye can May the Lord in mercy grant us all more of his Spirit, that we may not be dead while we live; but lively, zealous and happy in Zion's ways, so prays, yours truly, R. C. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the 12th, when Mr. Miller, of Penn, gave a very appropriate address in the chapel and at the grave, and several of the members followed the remains of our sister to the New Cemetery; "There she will slumber in the ground, THE LATE MR. JAMES RAYNSFORD. DEAR BROTHER.-Should you not be furnished by any abler pen than mine with an account of the death of our departed brother, James Raynsford, of Horsham-your active agent for many years, and whose loss the churches have now to lament-will you be kind enough to give the following bare outline of him in your next number? James Raynsford, who might be justly termed the Evangelist of Sussex and Surrey, - having travelled, since the year 1830, above eighteen thousand miles on foot; besides of late years, through bodily infirmity, making use of every available means of travelling, from the railway to the huckster's eart, many thousands more, to some of the most desolate and destitute spots in nine counties of our land, to proclaim a full, free and finished salvation, in all the sovereignty and glory of it, as the one determination of the Eternal Jehovah from before all worlds, for the salvation of the beloved of God the Father, by the mediatorial work of God the Son, through the constant and continued teaching of God the Holy Ghost-witnessing in them the Father's love, the power of the Redeemer's blood, and his own holy, regenerating, sanctifying, supporting and irresistible grace. Our brother was one (of the few) who was determined to maintain the necessity of a vitality in religion to be the surest proof of its reality; not a mere wordy religion, but an active one; yet not a do and live-but a live and do one to be known by its fruits. Much and deeply had he learned the plague and rottenness of his own heart; and solemn and weighty were the warnings he gave against those who declared themselves to be righteous, and despised others. But, like a true Shepherd, he did carry the lambs in his bosom, not thrusting with side and shoulder, but rather healing. As one who knew him well, I can bear my hearty testimony to the sincerity of his love, the fidelity of his character, the wisdom of his counsel, the encouragement of his experience, and the untiring anxiety of his soul for the welfare of all those who stood manifest to his conscience as the sheep of God's fold; while a wolf in sheep's clothing, however elevated his position, either ministerial or private, escaped not his keen perception-nor, if opportunity presented, his equally keen rebuke. Our brother was considered as very unchari. table: but twenty-five years' labor in thevineyard had taught him that all is not gold that glitters. Having labored (more particularly) in the east of Sussex, at Warbleton, he had himself conveyed there to bid them a last farewell, in great bodily suffering, about six weeks before his death, when it appeared too evident his days were fast drawing to a close an event to which he had looked forward for the last twelve months with much earnest Most painful were the last few days of his laborious life; and great was the dread of his mind, lest any murmuring should escape his lips under his sufferings, which were, as and one of his keenest pangs was, that he he said, as though he were "shot to shivers;" honored his Lord so little. While sitting in his chair in the afternoon of December 25, talking to brother Mote, he said, "If I were able, and had to preach to-night, my text must be, 'It is finished!' Finished, (said he), to the satisfaction of God the Father; finished, to the satisfaction of the dear Redeemer, finished to my satisfaction; and a few hours after, without a struggle or a groan, passed to behold the glories of the Lamb, in his 62nd year. On the last Sabbath in the year his remains were brought to Charlwood, where he had often labored; and though in ill health, I dared not resist the desire to view the last resting-place of my toilworn brother, and found myself most unexpectedly called upon to testify at the grave's mouth, to the grace of God in the dear departed; and did so from the words he wished to use for his last text-"It is finished!" and such a finish of such a life, at the close of such an eventful year, I have not before witnessed. It was indeed a solemn and a sacred time; surrounded by the weeping family, by some devoted, weather-beaten sons of toil, some of whom had come miles to pay their tribute of honest affection to one who, more than any other, had entered into their very hearts, and knew how to speak a word in season to them in particular. And my own reflections on one who to me had been a brother beloved, a friend pure and sympathetic, and a father in love and watchfulness over my ministerial career-I had no ordinary or painful task; yet, as my day, so was my strength; and we committed our dear brother's remains to the silent tomb, while singing those sweet verses of dear Hart's, "Earthly cavern, to thy keeping We commit our brother's dust," &c. May the chief Shepherd constrain more of a kindred spirit to feed his sheep and lambs, is the prayer of your's in the Lord, Hamilton Street, R. S. BIRD. Wandsworth Road, Feb. 3. troubles, was John Hoar. John Hoar had, by | of others-resist, sigh, mourn, look up for help and cry, through the oppression of his enemy, and desire one more look from the God of his salvation inwardly; for well he understood "With sin and guilt poor Zion toils, the help of the Lord, witnessed a good profession for more than fifty years. He was one of many who were awakened under the preaching of Mr. Cicial, at Chobham, Surrey; and under his preaching he sought in vain for healing for his wounds, or comfort to his sinsick soul. Mr. C. was that kind of preacher But till the Lord, her Saviour, smiles, that can wound, but not heal-distress, but Her conscience gets no ease.' not comfort. I knew another of these useful men in their place at Blackwater, in the year His new master, whom he loved to serve, had 1830; and when a man went to him to speak given him some good things inwardly; and of his pains, or fears, or distresses, or soul amongst them, were some precious promises— trouble, he used honestly to recommend exceeding great and precious-that by these them to go to Mr. B., the Baptist minister, he might be a partaker of the Divine nature. as he was a good man, and would help him in Now to will was present with him, but how to his soul matters. Mr. B. used to remark, his perform he could not find; but the more opfriend beat the bush, and he caught the posed by his old master (sin), the more he birds. Accordingly, John Hoar was compelled to seek the bread and water of life elsewhere. grew in strength inwardly, so that he actually He went to Woking, with a "Who can tell "groaned out-thou hast said, "Thou wilt see There the Lord was pleased to bless the ministry of Mr. Wm. Meyrett to his soul: the wonders of the gospel to the needy "who can The sweetness and richness of the sound, who can express? The change from guilt, fear, burden, darkness, and sorrow, into joy, peace, light, and liberty, who can utter? He loved Mr. Meyrett deeply and truly-esteeming him very highly for his work's sake. The day before he died he rehearsed calmly the Lord's dealings with him throughout his life, and his love to his dear old pastor; and the Lord's servants, whose testimony had been blessed to his soul's help, and you amongst them. tell ?" me again;" and thou hast said, "I will not the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. hate! "How small our faith appears!" If any in appearance. How small our resistance! how many our fears! how strong our foes! how bitter our afflictions! and how hard our lot while in this captivity! But when Jesus, with his mighty love, visits our troubled breast, our doubts remove, our fears subside, and we are completely blest. In the former struggle we are ready to say "Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Will he be favorable no more? Where are thy former loving-kindnesses?" My Lord has forgotten me: my God has forsaken me; we stagger like drunken men, and are at our wits' end. Many things we fear, and many things we say, or are ready to say, and dreadful things we feel we cannot say, and some things we are afraid we have said, and some things we fear we shall say. It was not Jesus Christ our Lord in the history that would do for John, in such a fix of captivity, however true; but Jesus's name as ointment poured forth, that he needed. John Hoar was as consistent a man as ever I knew; but he was not all perfection: John did not know any man baser than himself; the times he was taken captive in fifty years he said could not be numbered, they were more than the hairs of his head; the Lord's mercy in keeping him, when the law had made him prisoner, and his mercy in losing his bonds, caused him to thank his God through Jesus Christ his Lord-"So, then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." In the latter place, in his captive state, he seemed a bad singer, a bad talker, a bad walker, a bad worker, and a bad sleeper; do what he would, or be where he may, he was not a wit better than, "O wretched man that I am." He seldom or ever got into this place without his old master calling upon him, and he never came to him without bringing something, and almost sure to be something new, but all with He learned the work of Christ Jesus his ill intent to him; sometimes he would wear an Lord in every name he bore, and office he angel's form of sanctity, and tell John, it was filled, by his grace, love, mercy, compassion, very wrong that a man of his morality and power, and kindness, made known to him in consistency of character, should have such his afflictions; so he heard him, and so was afflictions; and many he knew all his life had taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. He been free and was free; and his outward man then put off the former, the old man with his and his old master always seemed to agree. deeds, which is corrupt according to the deHe got so grieved in his heart at the siht of ceitful lusts; could, by God's help, shake himhimself, and the good looks of others, that he self from the dust, and loose himself from the seemly would have done something, but he bands of his neck; put on his beautiful garwas in a fix, and more like a wild bull in a ments, or be renewed in the spirit of his net than anything; so foolish and so ignorant mind." "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, was he, he seldom saw the snare till he found peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, the smart. John's hidden man could scarcely faith, meekness, temperance: against which be heard to speak or breathe, so loud the din' there is no law;" but a deal of envy, wrath, hatred, malice, ill-will, and evil speakings, and workinge against the chosen seed. Dead or alive, they are in the wrong place, and do and say the wrong things; and none manifests it against them so much as those who have a form of godliness, and deny its power. They that are Christ's, have and do crucify the flesh with its passions and covetings, and do verily reap of the Spirit life everlasting. And they that do sow to their flesh shall reap corruption. and He had not laid down in his bed for "When shall the day, dear Lord, appear, "My willing soul would stay In such a frame as this; And sit, and sing herself away To everlasting bliss." As his days and nights were wearisome, his eld master proposed ease by the blade or cord, or other things, presented very suitably and secretly, that it would never be known, or, if he would but speak loud or low, and curse-putting the word or words into his mouth; so that at times he did not know where he was, or what he had done; so that he has many times said, "Ah, my dear friend, my precious Lord and Master, "He sees me often overcome, His trials are over; I am passing through: Alas! how soon they're gone! I would say, "Cheer up, ye travelling souls, He sees us when we see not him, I had parted with him, as I thought, but he -. I asked, "Do sent for me early onyou want to say anything?" "No, (he answered,) I wanted to see you once more;" and then he just lisped "Kind are the words that Jesus speaks, To cheer a dying saint: - 'My grace, sufficient is for thee-"" when his voice failed he dropped his headand died-without a struggle. I tied his falling mouth, with hands of love, and blessed God for the sufficiency of grace bestowed upon him. He communed with the brethren and sisters on the first Sabbath in June-(and was buried on the second.) To the person who carried him the elements, he said, "Ah, my dear sister, the last time, the last time on earth; next, it will be in heaven-our home." It was upon the Tuesday following, that he died. Respecting the usage I had received, in being turned out of the chapel, he said he was sorry for that, though the Lord's goodness in it appeared all for him; as by that means, he was favoured to hear the Gospel to the last Sabbath of his life, as I preach the Gospel in the house where he lodged. I very much miss my old companion, and am watching, like a what shall befall me, or what a day will bring sparrow alone on the house-top; not knowing forth trying to keep still, and watch the hand of the Lord. Every thing outwardly says, "Depart, this is not your rest;" but no voice or word from the Lord can I get whether to go or to stay. My enemies seem to prosper in More than ten years rolled over, with days all they do; "they have lifted up their head and nights, cold and heat, summer and win--they covet, and possess." They took the ter, seed time and harvest, in our vain life, and in our weeping and rejoicing, living and refraining, talking and keeping silence together; he, a help and blessing to my soul, and I, through the Lord's mercy, a help to his. I had his complaint, and he had my poverty, trials, and enemies before our God; and the more tears we sowed in winter, the best harvest time, he generally had. Some of our brightest days followed our darkest nights; some of our sweetest spring times followed our coldest and hardest winters; and our richest harvests followed our coldest sowing times; and our hardest, coldest winters followed our richest summer weather; and both of us together have tried, and were not able to bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, nor loose the bands of Orion. We could neither bring forth nor guide, nor could we alter the Divine change; for "All must come, and last, and end, As shall please our heavenly Friend." house, the garden, and the grave of my old friend, soon after his death. Some men are in the wrong place, dead, or alive; some are said to do right, and be right- do what they may, and be where they may. Behold, the Judge standeth before the door." All things work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpose. "When all the chosen seed Shall meet around the throne, Wisdom, and power belongs; Ripley. HENRY ALLNUTT. MRS. MARGARET HOWARD. |