THE BAPTIST CAUSE AT BIRMINGHAM. aim of your ministry is, to be crowned with success-that God would crown your testimony and ministry with success such as the world can neither give nor take. Another crown which I should hope you are looking for is the affections of the people. It is a blessed thing to have the affections of the people brought forth in the unity of the Spirit. I am perfectly satisfied there is no love like it. Only let your testimony fall into the hearts of the people, and they will highly esteem you for your work's sake. I don't know that there is anything on earth I desire so much as this -the real affections of God's people. Natural affection is nothing to it. I would not give a fig for that affection which does not love me beyond my follies and my faults. To have this love-the love of God in the heart-is worth ten thousand things beside. The Lord grant that you may be blessed therewith. The laurels wherewith they crown the earthly conqueror's brow are perishable; but if God gives you seals to your ministry they shall never be lost-they shall be an everlasting crown of consolation to you. And if led to strive lawfully for these things, God your Master has told you in his Word you shall have " a crown of glory." Ah! my brother, this is what we are looking for. I am perfectly satisfied that I have carried a message from the King to hundreds and thousands of souls; but the question is whether I have done so as a servant, or a son. But, my brother, I trust you have the witness in your own conscience that you are not only a servant but a son. And if such be your happy position, when you shall have finished your Father's will on earth, you shall be received into heaven with the welcome plaudit, "Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been careful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." May the Lord enable you to discern between that which is lawful and that which is unlawful, and at last crown your labours with abundant success. Amen. Mr. Thomas Jones, of Blackheath, closed the afternoon service with prayer; at the close of which a good party sat down to a well prepared tea, served in the chapel. EVENING SERVICE. 69 whether it was of that kind which placed him among those of whom it is said, "He does not come down low enough"-or, on the other hand, whether he was on the mount of transfiguration-whether he had waded through much sin and wickedness-in a word-whether he had passed through those circumstances to enable him to meet with the Lord's afflicted family in the very trying and intricate paths through which they have to walk. I say-I had great anxiety on this matter. Well, during my knowledge of the church, I have not heard less than two thousand relate the dealings of God with their souls, and with none was ever more satisfied than with your pastor, Mr. Elven." THE BAPTIST CAUSE AT BIRMINGHAM. [Our brother Mose has favoured us with the following epistle. We are truly thankful for any signs of life and progress in any of our churches]. (To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel). BEING called upon by some of my dear friends to give a statement of our little cause, that had our trials, we yet are, through mercy, your readers may see that, though we have preserved in our standing; and, after all, have much reason to take courage and go forward. It has pleased God to permit me to be the honoured instrument of baptising thirteen in the first twelve months of my sojourn here. Two of these were my dear wife and son. My good wife had been hanging about, but never could get above her fears, till the Lord's good time came, and then she could tarry no longer. The thirteen thus baptised were the fruit of my ministry; so that there has been both sowing and gathering. I have been called to witness the death of Smith, formerly a member of the Baptist one who worshipped with us a widow named church at Cambridge. I often noticed her, but never spoke to her till her last illness, which ended in death, in October last. I shall not soon forget my first visit to her. She had managed to get out to chapel on the Sunday. That morning I had to preach from 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. I was led to dwell particularly on those words," Although my house be not so with God." This was so fully descriptive of her personal experience and relative circumstances, that every word seemed like a sword to her. Weighed down by affliction of body and anguish of mind, she returned home, and was obliged to go to bed. As the evening drew on, she felt a wish to go to chapel again, but the adversary strove hard to keep her away; and her very feeble condition, and the anguish endured in the morning, seemed to give him the advantage. At last she rememBered it was ordinance day; and a thought came into her mind, It will be the last time I "I had looked forward with considerable shall be permitted to join with the dear friends anxiety to this day's service-and one part of here. I'll go, in spite of the enemy's suggesvery much more than another, and that was tions. My mind had been turned from my the part which your pastor had to take this morning's subject, which I fully intended to morning. I was anxious to know what his renew that evening; but God determined real state and experience was before God-otherwise; for these words took possession of After singing, Mr. Samuel K. Bland, of Cheshunt, read a portion of Scripture, and offered up prayer; after which, Mr. JAMES WELLS delivered a very wholesome discourse from James ii. 12: "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." We shall not attempt to give any portions of this valuable discourse, only to notice the introductory sentences, where Mr. Wells said: it D 70 OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES. my mind-Rev. iv., part of 3rd verse: "And there was a rainbow round about the throne." These words were applied to her heart while I read them as my text, with that divine power, that her soul was filled with the presence of divine glory, and it continued during the whole service, and at the table; so that she said it was the most precious opportunity she had ever enjoyed. She related to me many parts of her past history, by which I learned she had been a very wayward child, and had been held in strong hands, had very humbling views of herself, constantly lamenting her waywardness, and blessing God for holding her with such a strong hand. I was much encouraged to hear her bear testimony to the power that attended the word to her. "Oh, my dear sir," she would say, "it cuts me through and through; but the more it searches me, the more my heart is knit to you." Many visits I paid her; many changes she passed; and the last time I saw her was indeed a solemn one. Being a woman of strong feeling, she was in the habit of expressing herself not always very wisely; and in one visit I paid her, she broke out in rather a presumptuous defiance of satan, which I did not particularly notice at the time; but on this visit that infernal foe was permitted to make a most desperate assault; and that very expression furnished him with the means. Oh, the anguish of her soul, when struggling with this assault! with clasped hands, bursting into a flood of tears-"Oh, my dear Mr. Mose! is it possible I can have believed a lie?" I looked upward in an agony of mental prayer, and besought God to give me something to say that would give her relief; and he mercifully did so; the power of the adversary was broken; hope again lifted up her head; and when I left her, after prayer, she was sweetly composed. She died two days after this; her last words to a dear friend were these: "My dear friend, (said she), aim to live close with Jesus." Thus died this dear woman, leaving a testimony that my labours had not been in vain. I could here insert a letter I received while passing through our late trying scene, from a young man who came into the chapel almost, if not quite, an infidel. By much persuasion he was induced by his wife to come; and, as in his letter he confesses, he was, for the first time in his life, solemnly convinced there was a reality in religion. He now worships constantly with us, and the remarkable change is noticed by some, who say, "What hath God wrought ?" Others gaze and admire, but hate the change. Some time since, I noticed a very little deformed woman, whose countenance assured me she heard with interest. W missed her from the sanctuary several weeks since. One evening a young person watched outside the chapel until I came out; she then asked me to call on this woman, telling me she was ill; adding, "You will hear something that will cheer you.' I of course soon found my way to her home. where I found a poor deformed object in the midst of the deepest poverty, and I soon found the truth of the words of the young person. This poor creature had known and tasted of God's forgiving love; she spoke very blessedly of the Lord's opening her eyes, and shewing her what a lost sinner she was: she stood trembling on the brink of hell-was brought to acknowledge the Lord's righteousness in her condemnation. She spoke very sweetly of the Lord manifesting his pardoning love to her soul; of the entanglement and bondage into which she was brought by attending for many years at one of our legal shops, which I assure you we abound in. But it pleased God one evening to direct her feet to our chapel, where the Lord met with her. The preacher told her all her heart; she felt it was the Word of God, and here her soul found her Christ, food, raiment, physic, cleansing, and all she needed; and she told me something that made me ashamed of myself, and to admire the mercy of God to his poor hidden ones, "I came one Sunday morning to chapel, (she said), I was very weak, and very much tried; I had only a little piece of dry bread in the house to eat. I looked up to the Lord to bless me, and so I came; and while you were in prayer, the Lord came, and so blessed my soul, that I was happy in his love. Something seemed to say, Put a little sugar on the bread. I did so; and, with Christ in my heart, my sugar and bread proved a very sweet meal." This poor, yet rich soul, is confined with chronic asthma; her doctor says she may last ten weeks; but the dear soul is longing to be at home. She told me of another that, like herself, had strayed in, and found a greater insight into gospel truth in a few Sundays than he had ever enjoyed for upwards of twenty years. These, my dear brother, are some of the fruits of my poor labours since the Lord directed me hither. You will expect me to say a little upon the struggle through which our God has mercifully brought us. It may be better, perhaps, to say as little as possible. You know the Lord has said, "Every man's work shall be tried; and the day shall declare it; for it shall be tried with fire." Having been favourably received wherever the Lord directed me, I came here. My expectation might be raised high that great things were about to be done; and I believe many of my dear friends thought so too; but the high looks and high thoughts of man must be brought low, that God may appear all in all. This I know-the Lord brought me very low indeed-so low, I did all I could to get out of the work; but he forbad it, and my closest friends began to tremble, and almost give up. Thus, in the heaviest and darkest part of our night, when the fire of division was at work, God was trying his poor servant by fiery trials indeed; and the poor friends were tried too, and everything seemed to portend a wreck; but he who calmed the winds and waves, came walking upon the waters, and by his voice spake, and the winds were hushed. For about two months, through mercy, the scene has been changed; the Lord has graciously turned my captivity, and opens the Word to my heart. Our dear friends' faces wear a smile; the hungry find food; the naked clothing; the filthy cleansing; in a word, power attends the Word preached; the cloud fills the sanctuary; our numbers increase, and HISTORY OF WOOBURN GREEN BAPTIST CAUSE. shouting is again heard in our camp. I find the Word sweet, and long to creep closer and closer to the feet of my blessed Lord. Birmingham. JONATHAN. 71 pastor over them in the Lord, who was pleased greatly to favour his servant in gathering a flock to this little fold. After a few years, however, he left them, emigrated to the shores of America, and preached the gospel to the BAPTIST CHURCH, WOOBURN GREEN, descendants of the pilgrim fathers. BUCKS. To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel. DEAR BROTHER.-The historical notices of our Baptist churches from time to time no doubt renders your periodical deeply interesting to your readers generally, and those to whom the reference is made must feel particularly interested. I have drawn up carefully, and as concise as possible, the rise and progress of the church at Wooburn Green: having sustained the pastoral relation among the little flock in years gone by, you may calculate upon its correctness and make use of it accordingly. If it should prove but a little instalment towards supplying the information you are anxious to give your readers, you may expect a brief history of the church at Bexley Heath next month, if the Lord will. The quiet unpretending little village of Wooburn has for generations been favoured with gospel means far beyond many of our rural districts. Bethel Chapel, belonging to the Independents, was built for Mr. Groves, a good man, a preacher of the old school. His testimony was blest to many precious souls; among others, John Griffin, a dissolute papermaker, was arrested by almighty grace, and made a new creature in Christ Jesus. He was afterwards called to the ministry; and for many years sustained an influential position as minister of the gospel at Portsea. The excellent Mr. Broadbelt, Episcopalian, also proclaimed the gospel, and blew the trumpet with a certain sound for many years at Loudwater Chapel, in the village adjoining. When these labourers were called home to their rest, they were succeeded by a variety of others: but as time rolled on, it became painfully manifest to those who knew the joyful sound of gospel truth that the trumpet blew less clear, decisive, and melodious-in fact, quite uncertain whether it blew free grace or free will. Many, therefore, would hie away to the neighbouring town of Maidenhead and hear good John Cooke, who was a skilful player on the gospel instrument. Others would wend their way to Wycombe, some five miles off, and get refreshment for their hungry souls. During all this time there was no Baptist interest in the neighbourhood for miles round; but at length a few God-fearing people met together in a room to worship the God of their fathers, and a Mr. Matthews preached to them occasionally. This good man was a member of dear old William Williams' church, Grafton Street, London. Mr. Matthews having preached to them with many tokens of the divine approbation, took up his residence at Wooburn Green, hired a roomy house, and fitted it up as a neat little sanctuary, with apartments for his private dwelling. Here, in 1831, a particular Baptist church on strict communion principles was formed by Mr. Williams, of London; and Mr. Matthews was ordained In 1839 the writer was sent down to labour at Wooburn Green, and opened his commission by preaching unto them Jesus; and in the office; upon which occasion the late George year following was set apart to the pastoral Combe, of Soho, Mr. Woollacott, of Wild St., London, and brother James Newborn, then of Chesham, with others, engaged in the services. An encouraging amount of success attended the church for a time, and several were added to its numbers. It was here the Lord sought out and called to a saving knowledge of the truth our brother Henry Bartholomew, now the pastor of a Baptist church in Halstead, Essex, who, with his beloved wife, was baptised and added to the church, August, 1841. called away from this interesting scene of In the following year the second pastor was labour to work in another part of the vineyard. Since that time the church has been called to experience a variety of changes, and wade through the deep waters of tribulation, so that at times it appeared well nigh overwhelmed. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood by them and kept their heads above water, so that the floods could not drown, and a remnant of them are spared to this day, living testimonies of Jehovah's faithfulness and watchful care. About four years ago, the great Head of the church sent them another minister—Mr. Wilson, of the church at Crosby Row, Londonwhose hard-working pastor, Mr. Banks, is well known to sympathise and feel interested in the welfare of poor and destitute churches. Our brother Wilson has laboured here with steady uniformity and pleasing tokens of the Master's blessing. The writer visited this much-loved spot, the scene of his early labors, in October last, and was deeply affected in witnessing the change ten or twelve years has moved by providence to a distance; and others made in his little flock. Many had been rethere were who once ran well, but who, loading themselves with thick clay, and being over anxious about this world's affairs, had sadly spoiled them of former usefulness. Not a few, however, remain faithful and fruitful Lebanon, rooted and grounded in Christ; and as trees of the Lord's right hand planting in some were fallen asleep, leaving behind them hope in the gospel. some precious testimonies of their faith and But "They sleep in Jesus and are blest: How sweet their slumbers are!" Many were grown old and well stricken in years, with hoar hairs adorning their temples, while a multitude of youth had sprung up to maturity, defying one's recognition. the change in their former pastor's appearance seemed as visible to many of them; which is not much to be wondered at, considering that the old house which was built in 1802 has always been a slender, shaky concern: the thatch on the roof is besprinkled with hoar frost; the windows are obliged to have arti 12 72 OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES. ficial glass applied to them to be enabled to read and write; and the grinders are few and far between; but the keepers of the house can perform their part yet; the daughters of music are yet in tune; the silver cord maintains its tension; the golden bowl is perfect as ever, while the pitcher at the fountain, and the wheel at the cistern, are in good working order. It is a mercy to know that the old house, with all its contents, are fully insured from all loss in the official records of heaven. Richard Howard is the same blunt, hardworking deacon as formerly; and is perhaps mainly instrumental in preserving the church in its present integrity. Brother Wilson, the pastor, seems a sedate, straightforward man of God-a workman that needs not be ashamedlabouring daily with his own hands, and freely preaching to the people the mysteries of the cross. They have a new chapel now erecting; the foundation stone was laid by Mr. Banks, of London, and it is expected to be opened about March or April. Surely a more interesting case could not be commended to the affluent and wealthy among the Lord's people for their support and encouragement. The little flock have been putting their savings together, and lodged their subscriptions in the Savings Bank, towards the building; and the honest independence of the pastor, labouring earnestly and continuously with hands, head and heart, is worthy of encouragement by all who love the truth; and it is hoped his heart may be cheered on the day when the little sanctuary is consecrated to the worship of God, by a large instalment of the debt being paid off; above all, "May peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces; for my brethren and (former) companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee." Amen. CORNELIUS SLIM. Maidstone, Feb. 11, 1854. BETHEL CHAPEL, CHELTENHAM. DEAR MR. EDITOR.-Although I do not often see the cause of Sabbath Schools advocated in your valuable periodical, yet that is no reason why they should not sometimes meet the eyes of your numerous readers; and if you think the following remarks worthy of your attention, they may be interesting, if not beneficial, to teachers of similar institutions. On Tuesday, the 31st ult., as is our usual custom, we gave our scholars their annual treat, which, as you may suppose, consisted of cake and tea, with which they seemed well pleased. Passages of Scripture were recited by many of them before tea; and after that repast, the members of the "Benefit Society received their dividends. You will be anxious to know the principles of our children's "Benefit Society." Briefly, it is this: the scholars subscribe one penny weekly; this, for a year, amounts to four shillings and four-pence; and, partly from the defalcation of some of the members, and partly from donations, their dividends generally average five shillings each member-making an addition of eight-pence. This Society has been a great blessing, especially to the parents of the poor children. One poor widow, the mother of three children paying into the Society, told one of the teachers that it was almost the "making" of her-she being at that time in very great distress. After the dismissal of the children, the teachers and friends, about twenty-nine in number, sat down to a comfortable tea. The tables being removed, our superintendentMr. Cowley, senior-took the chair, and the meeting was addressed by our pastor and several friends. The first speaker, (a gentleman who preaches at some of the villages in the neighbourhood), during his address gave it as his opinion "that all teachers should be regenerate characters, and that none but such persons should be admitted." This was opposed in a Christian spirit by those of the rest who gave their opinion on the subject; and, in fact, it formed the chief topic of discussion during the evening. If I am not asking too much, I with several others, would very much like to have either your own, or the opinion of any of may feel disposed to give the subject their atesteemed correspondents who tention. Our respected pastor's opinion is, that if regenerate characters only taught in our schools, they would cease to exist. fully aware that it would be very desirable to have a school taught wholly by such persons; but if they will not, and, in many cases, cannot perform the various duties required, are children to remain neglected? know it to be quite essential that those teachers who impart spiritual instruction to the children, should be if the "letter" of the Word could not be changed characters; but I very much question taught, in many cases, by young persons making no profession of religion, but still feeling it a sense of duty and pleasure to give the younger scholars that Scriptural instruction they have themselves received. your I am am afraid of intruding, not only upon your time, but space; but ere I conclude, I am happy to inform you of the benevolence of some of the ladies of our church and congregation. They have been collecting donations and subscriptions, and making other arrangements to form a Dorcas Society. This, I am pleased to say, they have done; meeting with much prosperity both as to pecuniary matters and members. They held their first general meeting on Tuesday last-14th instant-when the Society was opened by our pastor-Mr. Freeman; after which ceremony the ladies sat down, and with warm hearts briskly plied their needles for the benefit of the poor. The object of the Society is to provide suitable garments for married women at the time of their accouchment. May heaven bless their united efforts; and may the gratitude of the poor they assist inspire their hearts with zeal to carry boldly forward their kind labours. Your's very sincerely, February 16, 1854. DAVID BROOM. [We are glad to find our brother John Freeman, the pastor of Bethel, and the good friends with him, are in good working order. We cannot at present answer the query.-ED.] MINISTERIAL CORRESPONDENCE. CONSOLATION FOR THE BEREAVED WIDOW. MY DEAR SISTER IN THE LORD JESUS.-Let "Kind are the words that Jesus speaks, Though nature's powers may faint.'" How truly blessed is it, my bereaved and be loved sister, in times of dark providences, deep afflictions, and sore distress, to prove the almightiness and all-sufficiency of God's gracerich, reigning, sovereign, saving grace· manifested in the love visits of Jesus to the sorrowful soul, o'erwhelmed with grief. as The dear Lord having called to himself your long much-afflicted husband, by the messenger He appointed to bear the special and solemn summons to him, remember the triumphant testimony of the patriarch Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Moreover, rejoice in knowing-that: "He is happy now, and we Soon with him shall happy be." Surely, you may sing, or say, "His sorrows o'er, his joys complete, I am glad you are with your daughter, whose affectionate letter I received, and hereby acknowledge. May she, indeed, be blessed of the Lord, with the needed blessings of this life, and of that which is to come, and be made more than ever a comfort to your oft-perplexed mind; but, above all, I pray that Jesus may be your preserver and peace, your portion and praise for ever. Trust in him at all times and under all circumstances, knowing that he is immutably the same Jehovah-Jesus, yesterday, to-day and for ever. During the dire calamity with which it hath pleased Almighty God to visit and scourge our guilty land and nation, my mind has been particularly stayed upon and refreshed from the truth of God, as expressed in the following lines: "Our sorrows in his scales he weighs, O, the deep counsel, divine condescension, and daily care, our covenant God and Father displays in his merciful and marvellous dealings with his dear children, whom he keeps as the apple of his eye, holds in the hollow of his hand, and loves with the fulness of his heart. May the Lord appoint unto you beauty for ashes the oil of joy for mourning, and the 73 garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that God in all things may be glorified in Christ Jesus, by the Spirit's testimony of Him as all your salvation and strength. Remember, my sister, the armorial bearings of the ancient house of Jacob-viz., the cup, the cross, and the crown, enclosed within the circle of eternal love. I now desire affectionately to commend both you and your daughter unto God, praying him of his abundant mercy to keep you from falling, and at the close of your mortal career, and manifold conflicts, receive you into the kingdom promised unto you, yea, and prepared for you in Christ Jesus, before the foundation of the world. Finally, in all your future difficulties, distresses, and darkness, forget not that "All must come, and last, and end, As shall please our heavenly Friend." The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. In his name, I subscribe myself, your acknowledged pastor, JOHN STENSON. Chelsea, Oct. 12, 1849. P.S. When you write, let me know where you attend, whom you hear, and whether it is not desirable to send for your dismission from us. Also, inform me of the age of your de ceased husband. Our sister Whitby has received your letter, and, doubtless, will answer you shortly. THE TRUE POSITION OF CHRISTIAN DEACONS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. No. IV. DEAR MR. EDITOR.-As a constant reader of your Magazine, I have felt great interest in perusing the communications of your able correspondent, Thomas Owen, on the importian deacons. And I am thankful to find that tant subject of the scriptural position of Chrishe has handled the subject in the spirit of the gospel. Still I am free to acknowledge I was a little startled at his first piece in the November number of last year, where he informed us that in looking at the 6th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles for direction on this point, "We have quite mistaken our way.' Neither can I on more closely examining the subject, yet see that this account, as given of the Jerusalem church, can be with safety "Cast out of our account on the subject altogether." Though it is readily admitted that we have now no fund for the support of needy members by giving them a daily allowance, still as it is evident (at least to me), the seven brethren were chosen to attend to things temporal connected with the whole body; it is not, I think, straining the passage to take it as a precedent by which we are warranted in our choice of brethren who are of honest report and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who shall have the charge of the church's bounty, and to be used by them to defray the expenses incurred in carrying on the stated worship of God, as also for relieving poor members and visiting |