MOUNT ZION, CLERKENWELL.

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NORWICH.-Dear brother Banks.-Thinking | how the word preached was by some received with power, comforting, strengthening, and uniting them, while it scattered many others; and the almost daily testimonies of such who long have sought it: they say, "it suits me;" "I feel it;" "I hear with power;"-I feel constrained to say, "Is not this thing of God!" Your's in Jesus, ALBERT BRown. June, 1854.

you would like to receive tidings from the East, I thought I would try and tell you something of our proceedings in the city of Norwich. About others I know very little, except brother Gowring, who labours at the other end of the city. I understand there is abundance of yea and nay preaching, and plenty of profession, such as it is; but ever having a dislike to mixing with the nations, cannot say that I know anything of the people, or the doctrine of the priests, except by report, which says they hate the distinguishing doctrines of grace.

The last Sabbath in October, 1853, I came to Orford Hill Chapel, by invitation to preach; and as I never learned but one gospel, so I preached it, with the ability God gave. Some said, if ever the Lord taught and helped a man to preach his truth, he did at that time. Others said it was borrowed; and others, it was high doctrine, they could not hear it-they were made so miserable by it. However, I have endeavoured to go on in my usual way, and do bless the Lord for his keeping power since I began to speak in his name, not suffering me to confer with flesh and blood, or knowingly to smooth or keep back any truth to please the creature. The day ended, they paid me my fare, and said they could not invite me for the next Sabbath, as they had no funds. During the week I received a note, wishing me to go two more Sabbaths. I went, and continued going without any idea of settling amongst them on my part, though it seems they had; and accordingly gave an invitation to the pastorate, which I ultimately accepted. On the 18th of April, 1854, we had public services. Brother Poock, of Ipswich, preached in the afternoon with much acceptance. About 150 sat down to tea in the chapel; and in the evening addresses were delivered by brethren Poock, Gowring, and Pegg. The friends said it was the most comfortable meeting they ever had, and hoped it would not be long before they had another. May 31st., we were favoured with a visit from our brother Wells, of London, who preached afternoon and evening. He appeared and expressed himself at home in his own soul. The friends were greatly satisfied-indeed, many heard with astonishment; but his discourse the following evening produced extraordinary excitement: on the whole, it has created no small stir in the city. I felt persuaded his visit would be attended with such results, something like Samson's foxes and firebrands in the standing corn of the Philistines. True, he drew his sword, and a Jerusalem one too; Yes! "he lifted up his voice and cried aloud, neither did he spare "2 to show what is truth, what the true living people are, and what the living ministry is; and though some of "the Halfway Men," as he called them, were not altogether pleased, there were some Whole-way Men " who can say, and do say, it was nothing more than the truth. Since my settlement with the church, we have baptised twice, and will, (D.V.) baptise four next Sabbath evening, who have borne a sweet and simple testimony to the truth: indeed, it is many a long day since I heard so much of "the Blessed Spirit's work," as they expressed The numbers that will be added at our next ordinance, are sixteen. Considering the plight the people were in-numerically small, mixed sentiments, and principally poor; and

themselves.

Mount Zion Chapel, Chadwell Street,

CLERKENWELL.

DEAR BROTHER.-I have great pleasure in informing all true lovers of Zion's peace and prosperity, that the Lord is still gradually opening up, and discovering to our admiring view, his great and gracious purposes, in bringing out, keeping together, leading on, and abundantly blessing us in providence and grace, as a church and people; so much so, that we have been constrained again and again feelingly to exclaim,

"God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform."

His thoughts are very deep, and his ways past finding out; and we are living witnesses that what his counsel determined, and his soul desireth, that his own glorious arm will perform, in spite of difficulties. On the evening of the 1st of June, at all opposition, and apparently insurmountable Mitchell Street, St. Luke's, our pastor baptised six believers, five of whom we have good reason to believe are seals to his own ministry, and souls whom the Lord has graciously given him for his hire. Our pastor preached a discourse upon the occasion from Acts ii. 41, 42. It was a solemn and sacred season to many. The above six friends, with four others, were added to the church on the following Lord's-day. On Lord'sday, June 11th, three sermons were preached for the benefit of the cause by our brethren Banks, Foreman, and our pastor, when we realized good collections; and the word delivered came with power. The heavens were opened, with mercies spiritual and temporal, and we closed the day by singing,

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." As it is now two years since our minister became our pastor, we commemorated his settlement on Tuesday following, by a public tea meeting, when about two hundred sat down to tea; and at halfpast six the public meeting commenced. pastor in the chair, gave out the well-known hymn

-Denham's Selection:

Our

After

"Kindred in Christ, for his dear sake." And our brother Cooper, of Hampstead, implored the divine blessing upon the meeting. which, our pastor, in his opening address, detailed the most prominent circumstances connected with his coming to London; the blessing that had attended his labours during the two years of his pastorate; shewing that between seventy and eighty persons had been added to us; also, the necessity of obtaining a more commodious chapel. He gave a short outline of the Lord's providential leadings in opening up the way for the purchase of our present commodious place of worship, which is now comfortably filled with an attentive congregation; and said the object of the present meeting was two-fold: first, to commemorate his settlement; and secondly, to raise a sum of money to meet a present pressing demand. Another verse being sung, brother Stenson, of Carmel, Pimlico, was called upon to address the meeting. Having ascended the pulpit, our good brother proceeded to congratulate us on the peace and pros perity that had attended us; and took for the foundation of his remarks the words, "Encourage him." Shewing, in four particulars, how a minister of Christ is encouraged. 1st, By a stedfast

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others, all of whom seemed happy in their work: and our minister, Master Cartwright, is still threshing the mountains, and ploughing up some of the fallow ground. The Lord seems to have cut him out on purpose for us. He longs to see greater good resulting from his labours, which have been a blessing indeed.

attendance upon the means of grace. 2ndly, By a solemn and unshaken adherence to the truth of God in all its bearings. 3dly, By a sincere affection one for another; and, 4thly, By a solid attachment to him. Our brother's remarks extended over three-quarters of an hour; but never was anything more weighty and important than the caution and counsel given. Long may his address be remembered. After another verse, our brother Smith, of Shoreditch, was called upon, who took for his ground, the love of God; and standing here, proceeded to encourage, caution, and edify Or, a little Criticism, and a Corner for us in a most spiritual and affectionate manner. Brother Chislett, of Walworth, then, taking for his ground the words, "Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth me," spoke of the object of praise, and what it is to praise him; and shewed that glorifying God is one of our greatest honours. which, as time had run out, we sang,

After

"All hail the power of Jesus' name, "" and the multitude left, evidently feeling that the Lord had been with us. "The Lord has done great things for us." To him be all the glory. GEORGE BURRELL.

The Second Anniversary of the Baptist
Sunday School, Coggeshall.
BROTHER BANKS.-Knowing you like to hear, as
well as to see, the prosperity and peace of Zion,
and that you love to have your little barque
freighted with good news, and of that which speaks
well of your Master's name, I thought I must tell
you of his goodness to us at our second anniver-
sary of our little school, that the humble may hear
thereof and be glad. Our pastor spoke from the
words of Paul, "Let us not be weary in well-
doing." He spoke by the Holy Ghost to the hearts
of some of God's dear people, shewing what it is
not to do well; and then again, what a blessedness
there is in doing well. For the glory of the great
eternal God, the poet says,

""Tis well, when on the mount
We feast on dying love;
And 'tis as well, in God's account,
When we the furnace prove."

Our Spiritual Wine-Press;

Correspondents.

OUR tables and files are full to overflowing with books and bundles of letters. We shall only attempt to squeeze out a few drops of spiced wine from these pomegranates which hang so thick upon our boughs; adding therewith any little needful criticism, or useful information, which we may meet with in our rambles, among the contributions of our kind friends. We shall bind ourselves to no order, or classified system; but just take the books and the letters one by one, until we have filled up our space, and can take no more.

The Bonmahon School re-print of Gill's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, and "An Exposition on the Book of Solomon's Song," by the same author. Mr. Doudney, has rendered a noble service to the churches of Christ in the production of these seven splendid volumes. Criticism here is out of the question. On all hands Dr. Gill has long been acknowledged as an authority of great weight; and his commentaries on the Scriptures, of much benefit to sincere students, to faithful ministers, and to devout Christians. We are glad to find that a few complete copies of Dr. Gill's Commentary are still on hand, and may be had of Mr. William Hill Collingridge, at the City Press, in Long Lane, Smithfield. We rejoice to announce this; because we happen to know that some ministers and others who did not subscribe

We had a large congregation, and a good collection: we desire to bless our God for temporals as well as spirituals. On the Monday we gave the children a treat with tea, bread and butter, and plumb-cake; and after the children's tea, we had a public tea for the friends. There were about 150-have laboured under the mistake that they sat down to tea, making in all, including children, more than 200. Our school has, in two years, increased to the pleasing number of 68 children; we begun with 12; last year we had 42; and now we number 68. It would have done your heart good to hear their sweet little voices sing that hymn out of Hawkins's book, beginning thus

"There is a Friend, whose matchless love Surpasses all beside;

"Tis Jesus Christ, the mighty God,

Who for his people died."

After tea some sweet pieces were sung, and Mr. Collis, our pastor, addressed the meeting. He spoke of the good of Sunday Schools; the way in which they should be conducted; the great good the Lord had been pleased to do by Sunday Schools. He spoke of his own case; it was there the dear Lord was pleased to make the first impressions on his mind. He then gave the teachers a very suitable address; spoke of the solemnity of the work, the necessity of cordiality amongst them, and shewing a good example to the children. The meeting was, in every sense, a good one.

LEE COMMON, on the 6th of June was favoured with the presence of the Master and several of his servants, who conducted the anniversary services. Among them were brethren Parsons, of Chesham; Skelton, of Tring; Bryant; C. W. Banks, and

could not possibly now obtain them. Four guineas sent to Mr. Collingridge will secure the safe arrival of the six royal octavos-containing the Commentary, and the handsome seventh-companion-volume, containing Gill's deeply-delightful Exposition on the Canticles. We must not draw from these flowing streams at present: we are waiting for an opportunity to give "THE BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE:" and then we shall more fully discover the immense value of Gill's writings to those persons who have no knowledge of the original languages, nor any time for research and enquiry in the expensive and rare writings of those giants whose minds were framed, and whose lives expressly devoted to the bringing up the hidden treasures of eternal truth.

been asking us to weigh up its contents: it is The next is a little volume which has long entitled, "The Fall of Debir: a Religious, Moral, and Social Poem. By Henry Trays. This volume was published in Plymouth by R. Lidstone; and in London, by Houlston & Co.

It is a poem on "the smiting of Kirjathsepher"-("the book of the city.") There is an energy, a simplieity, and a beautiful illus

OUR SPIRITUAL WINE-PRESS.

tration both of the greatness of God, and the | As one great social community?
valor of truly godly men, that must commend
the work to intelligent and reflecting minds.
We hope Mr. Trays will be encouraged to
pursue his labours; that his views of divine
truth will increase in clearness, and in a ne-
cessary discrimination; that his own experi-
ence will be deepened, and that a ripeness in
heavenly, in spiritual, and in saving know-
ledge, will more eminently appear in the
future productions of his pen. The following
lines from the Third Part of the volume, on
The Ancient Marriage Ceremony, when
Othniel and Achsah were United,
are a fair sample of the cheerful, yet sacred,
tone of our author's mind; and had he applied
this interesting ceremony to a higher, a
nobler, a more glorious and eternal union, it
would have been exceedingly sweet to chaste
and holy minds.

How transcendantly more beautiful
Will that marriage be at Shiloh's advent!
Watch, till the bridegroom shall come to you,
To claim the nations of the world, His bride.
O! Othniel, thou art a shining light,
Set on a hill. Innumerable eyes
Are fixed on thee! Let virtue, holiness,
Justice, and mercy, shine in all your acts!
The people rise, or fall, from ruler's deeds;
Your influence pervades all Israels' tribes.
Your heads of families and humble sons,
Have all their influence, or great, or small,
Yielding to this responsibility;

After" the Fall of Debir," and the con-
quest of Othniel, comes the fulfilment of the
sacred promise in the gift of Achsah-the
union of this happy pair is thus described,
Who is this coming from the tent of Kenaz,
As a bridegroom adorned for his bride? It is
Othniel, the hero of Debir! beloved
Of Israel, whose cheerfulness and love
Give to him wings to flee to Caleb's tent,

To meet and cherish there, his beloved Achsah.-
Who is this coming from the tent of Caleb,
As a bride adorned for her bridegroom,
Surrounded by her female kindred friends,
Whose veil of modesty, and chastity
Is thrown loosely o'er her lightsome person
It is Achsah, coming from her father's tent,
With graceful step, to go to the altar,
Where Othniel is waiting to receive her,
Accompanied with his male kindred friends.
There the Chief Priest comes to unite the pair,
In the bonds of holy matrimony.
Eleazar, in sacerdotal robes,

Then solemnly began his sacred task,
In the name of the Lord God Almighty.
Saying, "Beloved friends, we meet to join
Othniel and Achsah in marriage."-
Having read the marriage contract, he asked,
"Is it the earnest wish of this assembly,
That in this bond these shall united be?"
"It is our wish!" all readily exclaimed.
"For Othniel; does good Kenaz consent?-
"For Achsah; does good Caleb consent?"
Each cheerfully responded, "I do consent."
The priest then turned to Othniel and said
"Wilt thou have Achsah to be thy wedded wife?"
"I will."

The priest then turned to Achsah: "Wilt thou have
Othniel to be thy wedded husband?"

"I will." Then Eleazar said, "This pair is
joined

Together in holy matrimony;
According to the ordinance of God.

Whom God has joined, let no man separate.'-
Ere we the altar leave, receive the word
Of exhortation good, O, Othniel,

And thou, O Achsah. God has wrought for you
Deliverances; made the people's hearts,
And yours, as one; united kindred souls,
In meekness, faith, philanthropy, and love,
With this marriage union; fixed you the Judge
Of his people Israel; and made your name,
A terror to idolatrous sin's slaves!
The law of marriage is beautiful in aim,
Impeding vice, and honouring to God,
Uniting us, in strongest social ties.

Is not the twain one thought, one flesh, one will,
In the ways which concern true happiness?
Is not this, what Israel should always be;

171

You court domestic rest, a nation's good.
May you in joy or pain each other cherish,
And grow in happiness as years increase."
Then the priest said with cheerful heart and voice,
"We will this hymn of praise sing to our God,
Let now our hearts be joyful in the Lord!
Let harp and lute express our souls' desire.
Let us sing praises for deliverance,
May the presence of God be now with us!
Thou hast bestowed on us, O Lord, our God
Hebron's fair plains, a peaceful dwelling place--
A figure of the heavenly Paradise.
Do not the living streams of water, corn,
And fruits, and flocks, and herds, with gratitude
Impress our hearts? Does not the Ark of God,
Which dwells with us, inspire both heart, and.
tongue,

With fire angelic? Israel redeemed,
Shall sing continually the song of Moses,

The Lord hath triumphed gloriously,'
And planted us in the mountain of his
Inheritance, where he delights to dwell."
Othniel puts a ring on Achsah's finger,
Saying, "Behold thou art set apart to me,
With this ring, according to the laws
Of Moses and of Israel."

The Ordination Service of Mr. James Jay, at Grove Chapel, Camberwell. The whole of the services connected with the ordination of Mr. Irons's successor, has been published in a six-penny pamphlet by James Paul: one of the most important portions of this work, is THE ACCOUNT WHICH Mr. JAY GAVE OF HIS CALL TO THE MINISTRY. As a brief outline of this appeared in the EARTHEN VESSEL for May, we only give a valuable sentence or two, in the hope that other pastors may be led to encourage young ministers, as Mr. Hughes evidently did. In the course of Mr. Jay's statement he said:

"As there were many young men like myself, whom the Lord had called by his grace, under the ministry of Mr. Hughes, ofttimes prayers were heard in the church that the dear Lord might be pleased to anoint some for the work of the ministry, and send them forth to preach the everlasting gospel. In the year 1833, our pastor called me, with three or four others, to meet him at his house, and there asked us if we ever had any leadings or drawings of soul to the ministry? To this question, I said for myself, no, never. For although the well-being of saints and sinners lie near to my heart, I had always looked upon the ministry as most sacred, and the responsibilities attending it most weighty, too-and woe be to that man who taketh upon himself that holy office uncalled and unsent of God. Beloved, I saw and felt these things then, but I see and feel them an hundredfold more NOW. I, with others, was urged to make it a matter of solemn and special prayer to God; and, if ever I prayed for his mind and will to be made known, it was at this time; and the answer of God to me was, 'For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.' Isaiah lii. 12. I told this to my pastor, and he said, that he with the church believed

A WOUNDED SAINT IN CHRIST'S GARDEN.

The Beauties of the Bible;

OR,

CHOICE COMMENTS ON THE CHARACTERS AND CHANGING CONDITIONS OF NEW COVENANT CHILDREN.

readers. By this means we hope to edify
many a precious soul that could never read
these volumes; and also be of some service in
helping to clear off the copies yet on hand.
We commence with the following delight.
ful exposition of

THE LORD'S TENDER MERCY TO
EPHRAIM.
Commentary on Jeremiah the thirty-first
chapter, the Doctor writes:

it

MR. Collingridge, of the City Press, having presented us with a complete copy of that noble work, Doudney's new edition of Dr. Gill's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments; which herculean task is perfected, and deserves the patronage and support of the whole church of God.-Mr. C. (we repeat) having presented us with a copy of the work, we shall not write a laboured, dry, and farfetched review of the same. Certainly not! Who have we among reviewers now that will be foolish enough to expose his own weak- "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning ness, in attempting to review Dr. Gill? It himself thus, &c. Not Ephraim in person; is very true we have some boy-preachers, and though, as he was a very affectionate and lads too, forsooth, who have started off as vii. 22; he is with like propriety introduced, tender hearted man, as appears from 1 Chron. "most wonderful men." And so they are as Rachel before; but Ephraim intends Israel, in these days, when chaff is plentiful and good or the ten tribes, and even all the people of grain is scarce; but who have we?-we ask the Jews; and the prophecy seems to respect again-who will dare to write a critique on the conversion of them in the latter day, Gill? Bold as the assertion may be-yet we when they shall be in soul-trouble, and bemake it there is not a man in the kingdom, moan their sins, and their sinful and wretched that knows himself, and is not inflated with estate, and especially their rejection of the pride, that would venture on such a work. Messiah: when they shall look on him whom Away with the temporary twaddle and mere they have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitsurface stuff of the present day. If there is terness, as one that mourns for his first-born, one thing astonishes us more than another, and which the Lord will take notice of and it is the vast amount of pride and presumption observe, Zech. xii. 10, 11; Hos. xiv. 8; and which are so glaringly manifest in the brain- sinner bemoaning their sinful nature; want may be applied to the case of every sensible less persons of the would-be preachers, editors of righteousness; impotence to all that is spiand authors of the present generation. Surely ritually good; their violation of the righteous enough, think we sometimes, THE GOSPEL is law of God; and the curse they are liable to very sick indeed, and DIVINITY has scarcely on account of it; their many sins against a any flesh upon her bones. Our venerable old God of love, grace and mercy; and their friend John Andrew Jones, is so thoroughly ruined and undone state and condition by convinced of this, that ever and anon he is sin; all which the Lord takes notice of: hearsearching out and bringing to light some long-ing I have heard; which denotes the cerlost-sight-of specimen of the kind of Gospel they used to have," when giants were in the Church; and when Zion's Watchmen wore wigs, indicating that they had something in their heads worth preserving. Some of our readers will be ready to say, "Arise, physician, and heal thyself; for surely THE EARTHEN VESSEL is lean enough!" To be sure it is; there is where we feel it. For the last ten years we have been seeking after the savoury, sound, and wholesome matter-that which has blood, and bones, and brains well brought out; but we cannot find it; the consequence has been, the VESSEL has sunk down to the condition of a mere recorder of passing events. But to the point in hand, we purpose to dig as deep into Gill's Commentary as time and circumstances will admit-and to fetch out the choice, the beautiful, and the blessed portions therefrom, and give them to our Vol. X.-No. 115.-Aug. 1854.

tainty of it, and with what attention he hears, yea, with what pleasure; it is the moan the valley, every one mourning for his iniquity; of his doves, of those who are like doves of he hears, so as he answers; and sympathizing with them, he sends comfort to them, and delivers them out of their troubles: Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised; this is the case bemoaned; not so much the chastening hand of God, as unaffectedness with it, and not being the better for it; the Lord has indeed, as if Ephraim should say, chastised me, and I have been chastised by him, and that is all; it has made no manner of impression upon me; I have not received correction, bemoaned; and this will be the case of the nor has it been of any use to me; and this he Jews when they are converted; they will then reflect upon all the corrections and chastisements of God under which they have been ever since the rejection of the Messiah, and still are; and yet are now stupid under them,

I