and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father: to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen."

behind the saints, waiting and watching | begin to roll with-"Unto him that loved us, the process of judgment? And when the Saviour has brought all the lost of men and of angels captive to the tribunal of God, shall not an Archangel descend from his elevated position in the rear of the saints, and, standing at the Saviour's right hand, and ranging with his mighty visual powers over the myriads of saints, receive a command to announce, in a voice like thunder, the capture and the presence of every enemy of God-both of men, and of fallen angels? And shall not the saints take up the sound, and shake the universe with Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth:" a truth which the enemy has tried to overthrow, but, in trying to do this, they themselves are overthrown.

And, then, shall not the books be opened, and the doings of all the lost, in all ages, be made to pass in rapid review, each wrong finding out its proper owner? Their sins will surely find them out.

to hide himself, but cannot; and such a But again silence reigns; Satan tries monster is he that his companions keep as far aloof as they can from him. Men, lost men, try to turn their heads so as to look away from the Saviour, but they cannot. The awful majesty of his presence fixes their eyes upon him, and now there are neither rocks nor hills to fall upon them, to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. To be crushed to atoms, or ground to powder, would be heaven in comparison of the judgment about to be passed upon them. The books are opened; and all written therein is true-every sin recorded, and an owner found for every one: not one of the lost without sin, nor one sin without an owner. Will not all And, then, shall not the saints be pro- be thus adjusted? Will not every mouth of nounced blessed? Shall not the Archangel's men and fallen angels be legally stopped? voice, from the King of saints, sound out the Will not Satan begin to writhe? Will not same? And shall not the whole host of universal black despair seize every heart and saints again repeat the anthem-"Hallelujah, soul? The world burned up; the sun, and the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." And, moon, and stars set to rise no more; hell then, after the echo of this voice, (a voice beneath them; Almighty vengeance over which, as it sounded, re-echoed thousands them; eternity before them. They utter and thousands of miles, and from the lowest depths of hell to the highest arches of heaven): and after the echo of this voice has died away, does not the earth burst into one general conflagration? And shall not suu, and moon, and other planets, pass away in like manner? Shall not this increase the terror of the lost? Shall it not agonize them thus to see the entire destruction of their last hope? And shall not the saints at that moment look straight before them; not down upon the ruin of worlds, nor down upon the ghastly and trembling ranks of the lost; but shall look straight before them, up over the heads of the lost, and shall see eternal gates lifting up their heads, and the entrances to the golden city prepared for them, with the tree of life and river of life. They look again, they see a garden, a Paradise, such as never was, or ever could be, on earth. They look again, they see a wide extended region, to which this earth is, for magnitude, but as a pepper corn. What, then, is this vast region-this happy and delightsome land? It is their "inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." They can scarcely contain themselves. In a moment they seem to be there. Their eyes centre on the Saviour, and upon the everlasting God by him. Their souls go out in living adorations to his name. They all think alike of him. The presence of the Saviour in connection with the City, the Paradise, and the inheritance he hath prepared, is too much for them. Their voices, like the sound of many waters and mighty thunderings,

another awful groan; the saints tromble; and looking at redeeming blood, regenerating and sovereign mercy, stand in silent meditation, and say within themselves, "Who maketh us thus to differ? who plucked us as brands from the devouring fire-from everlasting burnings? The answer comes spontaneously to them-"He hath mercy upon whom he will have mercy; and whom he will he hardeneth: the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." They stand in solemn silence.

Satan is called to the front of the lost world. There he stands; and his crimes, in the presence of God and of all worlds, are read over to him by Gabriel, the archangel. He confesses the whole. He is ordered to the rear; he retires; anon, the awful words are uttered, "Go ye cursed." One line of the lost after another sinks; presently all are missing-all are gone; hell is peopled; the pit bottomless; the breath of eternal vengeance keeping up eternal fire; saints convinced of the righteousness of the judg ment. Again it is said "Hallelujah; and their smoke rose up for ever and ever."

the subject we are entering upon is a matter
Thus, my good Theophilus, you may see that
most solemn. You will see I have not yet
reached those parts of final judgment where I
(D.V.,) will lay before you—the laws by which,
the saints are to be judged; and, also, the laws
by which the lost are to be judged. And I
trust you will be found among the saints-even
if like me-but
A LITTLE ONE,

MR. JAMES WELLS AND
MR. SPURGEON.

A CORRESPONDENCE AND A QUESTION,

(Continued from our last).

[Ir has been a most difficult task for us, this month, to select from among the many letters on this subject, those that were really most likely to edify the churches; and, also, to lead to a profitable issue a controversy which, if conducted in a Christian spirit, may be of considerable benefit to the multitudes who now throng the gates of Zion in these gospel-professing days. The four letters which follow, may be considered fairly to represent the many which are every day coming to hand.

Our readers must not consider us as endorsing every, or even any, sentiment which this controversy may cause us to publish in connection therewith. We are simply the medium through which each real friend to Zion may express his mind; it is more than probable, however, that we may cast in our mite, after our more able brethren have done their best.

One word we must say, by way of endeavouring to correct an erroneous impression which some of our correspondents have received. They think Mr. Wells stands as an enemy to Mr. Spurgeon. IT IS NOT SO. We take upon ourselves the responsibility of declaring that we are satisfied there is not a man on earth who more esteems the gifts God has given to C. H. Spurgeon, than does James Wells; and, although, for the present, he decidedly refuses anything like co-operation, we firmly believe that the pastor of the Surrey Tabernacle rejoices in the shaking and stir that is now being given to professing Christians, and to our nominal gospel churches; and we zealously believe that the agitation of the question now under consideration will be instrumental in giving many to see the grand and eternal difference between flaming professions without, and the life-imparting powers of the Holy Ghost within. We must not enlarge, or we should sail into an ocean of thoughts and facts which would, we believe, lead to a discovery of the great secret; but we, for the present, retire, that others may speak first.-ED.]

To the Editor of the EARTHEN VESSEL. SIR.-Reading the correspondence between Mr. Wells and Mr. Wilkins, respecting Mr. Spurgeon's ministry, I, with many others, seem perplexed to understand why Mr. Wells should refuse to preach for Mr. Wilkins, and yet he preaches for Mr. Cozens, as Mr. Spurgeon preached and collected for Mr. Cozens only in October last! Does Mr. Wells think Mr. Wilkins's ministry is not sound? He says, "If I seek to get money, by truth, to uphold that which is not truth, I make my self a transgressor (truth). Yet, I find there was a collection at Somers Town, and Mr. Cozens must approve of Mr. Spurgeon, or he would not have had him there. Has Mr. Cozens seen his error, and recanted? I fear many use Mr. Spurgeon as a sponge, to wipe

off old debts, more than out of love to his ministry. If so, woe, woe be to them!

I find no fault of what Mr. Wells has said about Mr. Spurgeon's ministry; what he has said is honest; but I wish the more experienced in the ministry would do as Aquilla and Priscilla did with Appollos-teach him the way of God more perfectly.

M. B. KEEN.

MR. WELLS AND MR. SPURGEON. SIR.-It would almost seem an unnecessary vindication that of the character of one, who by his works and labours gives such significant and unmistakeable proofs of his calling and credentials; but it is a fact to be lamented, and grieved over, that the self-same spirit which has split asunder the church in every age, sown discord, and separated her members, and discomforted the whole Israel of God, is now as rampant as ever. From narrowing minds and human hearts come all this mischievous and hurtful spirit. Men will not believe there can be essential oneness, where there is individual peculiarities. If they would learn from God's acts and works, they would see and discern that variety and peculiarity mark them all; and to all of his creatures he acts as he pleases, dispensing favours to one which he witholds from another; bestowing gifts on one which he debars another from possessing. Let us know, that whatever gifts men have showered on them, are for purposes eternally designed, and which no others could effect. If we believe this, then we have a ready key to understand why one of God's servants is a Paul, another a Silas, one a John, another a Peter; each had his work, and each the sphere for that work. Shall we accuse the loving John of timidity, because he had not the fire of Peter; or despise the sublime reasoning of Paul, because his style differed from that of other holy men? God forbid; let us be content to know, that God can raise up whom he will, and give what gifts he pleases, nor shall all the offended inhabitants of the earth let or hinder him.

The correspondence between Mr. Wells, of London, and Mr. Wilkins, of Brighton, relative to Mr. Spurgeon's ministry seems calculated to do one of two things, perhaps both -and which seems, apparently to be the motive of the principal party therein (Mr. Wells). -First, either to prove the unscripturality of Mr. Spurgeon's teaching, and so exonerate those who have stood aloof from him; or, secondly, to establish the principle, that cooperation with a fellow-labourer nesessarily implies an indorsement of all his teachings.

As to the first, no one doubts, or ever will, that Mr. Wells is conscientiously sincere in all he says of Mr. Spurgeon's teachings and doctrines; believing, as he does, they are not Scriptural, nor accord with truth, he does, as he should, preach against them; he need no other vindication of his character; he can have no more; a clear conscience counterbalances all the world can give or say. But as to the second, that labouring with a brother implies an indorsement of his peculiarities, seems, though not new, somewhat inconsistent, and which, if carried out in daily life,

would very soon uproot society, the world, hand, if he is not believed to be a good man, and the church. If we are to establish this how comes it to pass that he has so many seals principle, then away all sort of remembrance to his ministry, and witnesses that the Spirit for the poor; all endeavours to overcome the is with him? Surely, God would not so manievils of life, of suffering, and distress; away festly work by the instrumentality of error-if all labour in a common cause. Does Mr. error he preaches-for God is not slackened in Wells remember that a few years ago, when his arm that he cannot raise up whom he will, this country was rent by the Cry of "No Po-to gather in his elect, and make his kingdom pery and Papal agression," that one and all, were glad of the assistance of each other to meet the common foe? Did the Churchman sacrifice his ritual, the Wesleyan his points, any more than the Calvinist did election? But hand in hand, and side by side, were they arrayed against the treacherous foe. And what and where should we be now, but for that glorious and united co-fellowship? How soon should we have had mass offered, and the host elevated in Saint Paul's and Westminster Abbey, but for that great and united action! But for it, think ye, the glorious truths of an invincible and ever conquering grace and gospel would be from week to week proclaimed in the Surrey Tabernacle? Let us think every day to be a crisis, and not merely that there is but one in a century.

But whether Mr Spurgeon is right in all he says and preaches, for myself I do not for one moment, fear to venture an opinion. I believe he does sometimes, in his addresses to the ungodly, overstep that boundary which God and Scripture has marked. But, O! it must be a difficult thing to stand before thousands, whose souls will hereafter be where hope never comes, with the consciousness of the high and solemn work and charge committed to the preacher, and not to warn them of their sins, and yet not deceive them by shadowy promise and hope; indeed, it does need teaching from on high. Peter's love for his Master made him draw the sword and smite the High Priest's servant's ear. His Master rebuked his manners, but loved him still. An earnest man is the most likely to be an erring man. Forgive the errors, ask the object, and love the man.

It is time we looked through words to motive. What is Christian biography? The whole is summed up in one sentence-love to God. If a man love God, we know God loves him "We love him because he first loved us." If loved of God, God will exemplify his love by making him productive of good. Many of us may not know the object of our being now, but hereafter we shall; meanwhile it is written, "by the fruits of a tree ye shall know it." Has God worked by Mr. Spurgeon? Who will say conscientiously nay Has he any credentials of his ambassadorship? If so, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ?"

It seems not unworthy of notice, and that on which I would wish to press most forcibly, that those who have condemned Mr. Spurgeon's ministry the most, have been the most silent and reserved in giving their opinion as to their belief of the reality of his discipleship. There is more in this, than many would seem to think. For, if he is believed to be one of the family, the greater the error in not receiving him: love the brethren, and especially they of the household of faith." On the other

come. If Mr. Wells, and those on his side, believe at all that God has worked by the instrumentality of Mr. Spurgeon, and yet that he preaches (and that constantly) error, how can it be reconciled with the necessity of the institution of a gospel church and a Christian ministry? If error produces good, in what light, and position, stands error? Upon this reasoning, we may as well sheath the sword against popery, Arminianism, and every other heresy; so that, I think, that on either side, Mr. Wells's friends must find themselves encompassed with difficulty when they reflect on the part they have taken.

Mr. Spurgeon is a young man, only just on his Master's errand. Mr. Wells has been half a life time on the same errand. Has Mr. Wells learned nothing since he first began to exalt the unsearchable riches of Christ? If so, let him not be rash. Mr. Wells may be a more cautious speaker than Mr. Spurgeon. Again, I say, look at intention. Carefully read a volume of Mr. Spurgeon's sermons, and can any one mistake what he believes or teaches? A sentence here and there picked out may look, and is legal. I freely grant it. But what says the whole? Arminians take the Bible, and say that universal redemption is therein. Romanists take it, and say that it is right to pray to the Virgin Mary, and that purgatory is therein. Momonites, too, also use the Bible. It is not what one verse seems to say, but what says the whole? Let us not judge other men by a standard we should be reluctant to be tried by ourselves. How many good men have there been, who are now far above the reach of doubt, or where it can enter, who in their time talked as though man could do that which they knew full well God only could effect. Does not Mr. Wells's congregation, in common with the Christian world at large, worship God by singing many of Dr. Watts hymns?

O, may that day not be far distant, when all the petty differences which has embittered the church and poisoned her peace, be remembered no more in the fulness of the glory of that light which shall extinguish all other, Christ Jesus! D. S.

TO MR. JAMES WELLS. MY DEAR BROTHER.-I have now read in THE EARTHEN VESSEL for this month, the correspondence to which you alluded when I was privileged to meet with your church last ordinance day. And truly glad I am at length to see the subject of Mr. C. H. Spurgeon's ministry brought so simply and so scripturally before the body of Baptist believers.

Mr. Spurgeon, as a free citizen of Britain, has an undoubted right to live and reign in a region of unfettered thought and expression

that is one thing. But for Zion, whose

THE EARTHEN VESSEL.

freedom is in "the kingdom of God," to receive him, unknown by personal communion and fellowship; untried by soul affliction and sorrow; and unproved by adversity, age, or experience, is another. And I do say, it is a scandal and disgrace in the Baptist body, to give even the colouring of approbation to a ministry, merely because of its exciting popularity on the one hand, or its success in obtaining the people's money on the other.

It may suit the giddy million to make sport with the bewitching philosophy of dramatic display, and to riot in the amusing freaks of arts's "airy footed love." But are the "children of light" to be caught in the snare of popular talents, and to be cheated by mere pulpit eloquence? Are dreams and delusion to captivate Zion ? Is "excellency of speech," and "man's wisdom," to supplant the "demonstration of God's Spirit," and our old fashioned gospel of " power ?" Are " ticing words" to ensnare the elect-and thus we, who have begun in the Spirit, to end in the flesh? Shipwreck of faith would be sure to all the seed, if these elements of the world, from which they are once delivered, were thus to overcome them again.

en

It is not enough that a man adopts our scriptural cognomen, or professes to endorse our spiritual creed! He must be a believer by spiritual baptism, and a Baptist from spiritual belief. A child of God must be made so by God himself; and from the same infallible scource must also receive " grace and apostleship" for the work of the ministry. Then will the fruits and effects be more corresponding with the testimony of truth, than those which at present grow on the widespreading Spurgeon tree.

I have not a particle of prejudice against the young and amiable aspirant after pulpit fame but I have read his sermons, heard his preaching, and closely observed the profession and conduct of his followers; and upon the face of these things, I see not the lively features of a healthy child. The souls of men are not always blest, when they say and think they are; neither is it "hearing well," when the fancy only is pleased and the flesh reasoned into acquiescence. The wisdom of this world and the "wisdom of God" are antagonists; and a man will " "" cease from the former, if he really possesses the latter, and when this is the case with a minister, his knowledge in Christ will be made manifest to the souls of God's people by the communication of the TRUTH, and ETERNAL LIFE, through the power of the Holy Ghost; and until the mystery of redemption is thus revealed through Mr. Spurgeon's ministrations, the Church of God cannot acknowledge him in the preached gospel of Christ.

Therefore I say, at present, at least, there should be a becoming reserve in our reception of him, and a prudential carefulness in our uniting with him. Wait awhile, and let patience have her perfect work.

It may be that God has raised him up to a great work, which in the end would then speak; but may-bes will not warrant a compromise on the part of a people built up in shalls" and "wills."

[JUNE 1, 1857.

A WORD FROM WANDSWORTH, A LETTER TO MR. JAMES WELLS. MY DEAR SIR.-I heard that you refused to preach with Mr. Spurgeon at Brighton, and also that there was some printed correspondence in the EARTHEN VESSEL. I felt very indig nant that you should refuse preaching with so good a man, but I resolved to see for myself, and got the book referred to; and upon a perusal I feel glad that the Lord has made you thus honest, and still posessing a kind feeling to our young brother; and my object in writing this is to encourage you, as I would other able bishops of our church, to teach him the gospel more perfectly, which, under the Divine blessing, may be attended with the best and happiest results. I heard him last Lord's-day morning from those important words, "Ye must be born again." he said that no In the first place long to the church, except "born from one could possibly be above; and used very pointed and good similes to establish his assertion; after which he told his audience that his regeneration was not as the Puseyites supposed, produced at baptism (so called), but it was entirely supernatural i.e., entirely and alone of God. After which, he said he would expostulate with his hearers upon the necessity of the new birth; and from his energy, arguments, and expostulations, you would conceive that he had entirely lost sight of his first propositions, and folks would suppose that it after all remained with themselves to set about making themselves new men at once.

On the Sabbath preceding he said he wished he could speak with energy. Welsh ministers they have such a method of working on the people; but we have not so learnt; we know "Tis not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." However, judging of his ministry affectionately, I should hope it may be said of him as of others-"Then sha!l we know if we follow on to know the Lord."

I am sure he needs the prayers of the church, and the kind admonitions and cautions of those who have been longer in the way; but 'tis astonishing how very many of professed ministers of Christ cling to this duty-faith honest, open-hearted man, I hope he may be system. As Mr. Spurgeon appears to be an brought to see and preach the truth as it is in Jesus.

You will pardon, I hope, so great a liberty, ing you a long and useful life, and an abunand intrusion on your valuable time. Wishdant entrance into the joy of the Lord, that when your heart and flesh shall fail, he may be your Portion for ever. Amen.

May 6, 1857.

Alinisterial Biography.

THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE
LATE MR. J. WARBURTON.

OF TROWBRIDGE.

did he pass through as well nigh sunk him in the gulphs of endless despair. But he was a chosen vessel, and could not be lost.

Young Christians, and aspiring ministers, might read John's travail of soul LAST month we registered the departure the way that John came. to much profit. We find few who came homeward of this good man. We shall not, How however, describe the most dreadful part comforting to us is the thought-" There of his spiritual voyage; but one brief is a rest that remaineth for the people of review of his soul's conflict as he began to God!" and we hope into that rest we be cheered by the rays of the Sun of Righshall some day enter. Rest here we teousness, we here quote from the pubhave none. But we are much disposed lished pages of this good man's life. He to cease from a great deal of the labour had for years been driven near to dein which for years we have been found. struction. Now hear what he says, as There is among the churches of our de: the Sun began to shine :nomination so much of division and bitter feeling that we sometimes long to retire into closer communion with Him who is "THE PEACE" of all who, through grace, take refuge beneath the covert of his Almighty wings.

"After breakfast, I set out for Manchester, and O the exercises of my mind upon the road! I stood still, and thought I would turn God to show mercy upon me, and be just. I back, for I thought that it was impossible for determined to turn back again. Then the Far up beyond these noisy and naughty words, Who can tell?' came again into my shores has the ransomed spirit of the ve- mind, and hope seemed to rise up within me, nerable Jolin Warburton taken its flight: with a "may be the Lord will be merciful to he has entered into rest; and now amid me, a poor lost sinner." That text was, for a the spirits of the just, adoring that most faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, few moments, very sweet to me, 'This is a holy CHRIST whom on earth he loved, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save and laboured hard to extol; and in happy sinners, of whom I am chief. O how my converse with patriarchs, with prophets, very soul cried unto God that he would save with apostles, and with thousands of me, the very chief, the very vilest of the vile! and then, with what exceeding sweetness and those who ranked among the silent saints preciousness did the words come into my on earth, he dwells in bliss supreme, and mind, For the vision is yet for an appointed shouts in sweet melodious strains, time, but at the end it shall speak, and not "Worthy the Lamb who died for me!" lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it Christian travellers, laborious mini-will surely come, it will not tarry. O how sters, true believers, humble followers of the meek and the lowly Lamb of God, let this thought cheer you-"There is laid up for us a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give unto us; and not to us only, but unto all them also who love his appearing."

strengthened and encouraged was my poor soul! and I went on, hoping and praying that the Lord would meet me in mercy.

"In the morning I went to Mosley Street Chapel, and soon after I was seated, a solemn old man ascended the pulpit; and O how my soul trembled for fear lest he should bear a demnation. What distress and horror I felt message from God to me of wrath and conwhen, in reading the chapter, he came to John Warburton's mother was a vessel these words, Cursed is every one that conof mercy. Her confessions and her cries tinueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them.' I can never evidently went deep into young John's express the thousandth part of all the misery heart; and although those convictions and sense of guilt that I endured. I saw that were thrust down for years by sin and my soul was doomed to certain destruction Satan, they were only beaten down that for ever and ever. What the old man preached they might come up with ten thousand about I could not tell, but this I knew, that times more force in after days. In a I should have dropped into hell whilst in the damned I was, and sometimes thought that little measure we were, like John, con- chapel. The service being concluded, I wanvicted early, but went far away, and suf-dered up and down from street to street, until fered hardships and trials of soul, through I verily believed that my senses were entirely sin and Satan's oft deludings, which tongues of men can never tell.

John Warburton had a dreadful passage from death unto life. Such storms

gone. I looked behind me, and saw two men following me, who, I was afraid, were coming were I could sit down and vent my grief was to take me to the mad-house. The first place St. George's Church, and seeing no person