ence in the third century, to its full edly establish the mode of baptism to grown deformity in the recent ravings be immersion. As to the latter, they of "ten homilies," has unhappily dis- declare that "faith is required by the turbed and defiled the Christian church. law of the institution;" that "the Most truly does the respected Editor apostles adhered to the directions they say, had received from their divine Master," that "the New Testament, which is the "How sad is our condition, even in the 19th century, more than a quarter of which has already run out, challenged, as we now are, to prove that baptism is a divine ordinance of perpetual obligation; that none but believers in Christ are personally and legally interested in it; that the mode of administration, by the total immersion of the body in water, must not be altered; and that to be born of water, in addition to being born of the Spirit, is necessary to a `man's entering into the kingdom of God on earth, that is, the visible Christian church. No one of these articles was a matter of controversy during the two first centuries, for as Cercellæus and others have conceded, pædobaptism was all that time unknown to the Christian world." The text of the first of these dis courses is, "What saith the Scripture?" On this divine authority the preacher proceeds to shew, that "baptism is not a moral, but a positive duty" that "baptism is an institution, not of Moses, but of Christ;" that "baptism is not confined to one sex, to one people, or to one period;" that "baptism is properly administered by immersion, and ONLY by immersion;" and that " baptism is to be administered to those ONLY who profess repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." This most able sermon is concluded by a refutation of the principal arguments urged in favour of infant baptism. The remaining discourse has for its text, "As certain also of your own poets have said ;" and is throughout an argumentum ad hominem. Such deponents are introduced to give evidence in this cause, whose testimony cannot be suspected, and will not be easily shaken. Their depositions are taken in relation to the mode and the subjects of baptism. As to the former, these deponents do very clearly and fully state, that the term baptize, the places where, the manner in which the institute was originally administered, and the scriptural allusions to the ordinance, decid only guide of our faith, and the only rule of our conduct, contains neither precept nor example for infant baptism; that "the earliest Christian churches afford no example of infant baptism;" that "the arguments which are employed by some pædobaptists, in favour of their practice, are refuted by others of their fraternity;" that "what pædobaptists say respecting the import of baptism, accords not with the baptism of infants;" that "the pædobaptist mode of making disciples is novel, and contrary to the accounts which they themselves give of the plan pursued and recommended by our Lord Jesus tles;" and that "we sometimes see, Christ, and his divinely-inspired aposthat when pædobaptists answer certain in effect relinquish their own cause." objections of deistical writers, they do And finally, these competent and unexceptionable witnesses do maintain, that practice is a departure from the original as to the "question of FACT," their institution; and as to the question of RIGHT, there is no divine authority for the deviation. The statements in these elaborate sermons, we believe, have never been Such of our readers as do not possess answered, and we think never will be. them for their own perusal, but to rethem, will do well not only to obtain commend them also to the serious attention of all persons with whom they may be acquainted. Letters on Education, addressed to a Friend, under the signature of " Philomathes ;" revised, corrected, and enlarged. By the Rev. JOSEPH DEAR. 12mo. pp. 212. Price 5s. 6d. boards. Bath: Wood. THIS neat and interesting volume, the production of one, who for many years has ranked as one of our Ministers, is dedicated to the Marquis of Lansdowne, may profitably engage their attention. The volume is composed of forty letters, the four first of which are on the necessity of education; the fifth shews that mere Literature is insufficient to form the character of Man; the sixth is on Early Instruction; the seventh on the communication of Instruction by Parents and Masters; the eighth, Proper seasons of Instruction; the ninth, tenth, and eleventh, on the improvement of the Understanding by the Languages and Science; twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth, on History; sixteenth, Geography; seventeenth, Chronology; eighteenth, Astronomy; nineteenth and twentieth, Natural History; twenty-first, Vegetables; twentysecond, Minerals; twenty-third, Chemistry; twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth, Mechanics; twenty-sixth, Pneumatics; twenty-seventh, Music; twenty-eighth, Drawing;twenty-ninth, Poetry;thirtieth, Eloquence; thirty-first, on the Improvement of the taste by Reading; thirtysecond, Ditto, by attention to the best Speakers; thirty-third, Ditto, by Conversation; thirty-fourth, Ditto, by Composition; thirty-fifth, Criticism; thirtysixth, Moral Culture neglected; thirtyseventh, the proper method of conveying moral and religious instruction ; thirty-eighth, Discipline; thirty-ninth, on the evils resulting from neglected education; fortieth, address to Parents and Teachers. It is not the design of the author to write a treatise upon any one of the branches of knowledge to which he has adverted, but merely to point out to his youthful readers the variety of subjects which A Persuasive to Religious Decision, in a short Sketch and Improvement of the Character and last Days of Mr. Thomas Woodhams, of Hailsham. By the Rev. WILLIAM DAVIES. 12mo. pp. 64. Wightman and Cramp. THE general excellency of character to which the subject of this memoir was entitled, it appears, was deteriorated by the want of "religious decision. This disposition led him to procrasti nate as to obeying what he considered his Lord's will in regard to baptism, and this sin of omission he affectingly deplored upon his death bed. Mr. Davies has made some good remarks on the impropriety of such a hesitating spirit in matters of religion, and by a faithful appeal to his readers, has attempted to counteract such a cause for death-bed lamentation in We hope his wellpious survivors. intentioned little work will be rendered an extensive blessing to many who, we doubt not, will need it in the neighbourhood where Mr. Woodhams was known and respected. That it may have more than a local circulation, we insert the following notice :-"Any profits arising froin this publication, will be applied towards the expence incurred by a recent enlargement of the chapel at Hailsham.” Hymns, chiefly on the Parables of Christ. By DAVID EVERARD FORd. THESE Compositions are perspicuous, and contain none but useful sentiments. If they should not be found very interesting to persons of cultivation, who are extensively informed, they are very suitable for children and the pious poor. NEW PUBLICATIONS. 1. Intolerance deprecated; a Lecture delivered in Zion Chapel, Frome, on Thursday, 12th March, 1829. By Rev. S. Curwen. 8vo. Price 1s. 2. Letters to a Friend; intended to relieve the Difficulties of an anxious Inquirer under serious Impressions on the Subjects of Conversion and Salvation. By the late Rev. Thomas Charlton Henry, D.D. of Charleston, South Carolina. Revised and corrected, with Memoirs of the Author and other Prefatory Matter. By John Pye Smith, D.D. and the Rev. Thomas Lewis. 12mo. Price 5s. 6d. We might in a whom it was written. 9. The Christian Workman's Expostula3. An Address to the Protestants of the tion with his Companions in Labour, on the United Kingdom of every Denomination; and essential importance of Religion. An Address to those Roman Catholics whose Religious to the Operative Classes, delivered in the GeneOpinions do not wholly overcome a just re- ral Baptist Chapel, Lombard Street, Birgard for the free Constitution of the British mingham, Sept. 7, 1828. By John Jones. Government, for the Independence of their Svo. pp. 30. Price 1s. sewed; or 6d. on comCountry, and for that Harmony which they mon paper. Loughborough: Winks. London: ought to wish should prevail between them and Wightman and Cramp. We have read this sertheir Fellow-subjects of every Religious Per-mon, founded on Matt. xvi. 26. with great suasion under one Government. By Lord Redesdale. Price 1s. 6d. 4. Home Missionary Register, Tract Repository and Teacher's Magazine, No. 15. Price 3d. Wightman and Cramp. This is an interesting publication by our General Baptist Brethren at Loughborough. 5. A Second Volume of Sermons, chiefly Practical. By the Rev. Edward Bather, M.A. Archdeacon of Salop, in the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; and Vicar of Meole Brace, Salop. 8vo. Price 12s. The Second Edition of Vol. I. 8vo. Price 12s. is just published. 6. Ralph Gemmell, a tale for Youth. By the Rev. R. 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The Case of the Baptist Church Meeting in Somerset Street, Bath, heard on a motion for an Injunction before his Honor the Vice Chancellor, 16th March, 1829. Price 2s. 12. A Mother in Israel; or a Sketch of the Character of the late Mrs. Greville Ewing, Glasgow. By Ebenezer Miller, A.M. 18mo. Price 8d. In the Press, &c. Memoir of Mrs. Ann Judson, wife of the 8. Jesus, the Messiah; or the Old Tes- Rev. Adoniram Judson, Missionary to Burtament Prophecies fulfilled in the New Tes-mah: including an account of the commencetament Scriptures. By A Lady. 12mo. pp. ment and progress of the American Baptist Price 5s. 6d. boards, cloth back. Mission in that Empire. By James D. This elegantly Knowles, pastor of the second Baptist London: Seeley. 1828. printed volume does honour to the lady by Church in Boston, Massachusetts. 264. REV. J. C. WARD. OBITUARY. This token of respect, due to the memory of the young minister whose early death it records, would have appeared in the pages of the Baptist Magazine much earlier, had it not been for circumstances over which the writer had no control. come. My dear parents were both connected with the society of united brethren, or Moravians. An impression relating to the awful condition of the lost was made upon my young and tender mind at the early age of six years. I was sitting in my father's parlour one morning before breakfast, I took up the New Testament, and John Charles Ward was born in Lon-read the parable of the rich man and don about the year 1800, of parents Lazarus. My mind was deeply affected who gave decided evidence of their repentance towards God, and their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable privilege to have such parents; many sons have had to bless God for pious mothers and affectionate fathers, who have, with tender and anxious concern for their everlasting welfare, directed their thoughts to redeeming love. Mr. Ward lost his dear father when he was at a very tender age, but not before his own mind was impressed with a sense of his danger as a sinner, nor before the kind parent had the satisfaction of hearing his son inquire after the way of salvation. The following circumstances, related by himself at the first church meeting at Soham after his ordination, will shew how he was secretly, silently, and effectually brought to the knowledge of that religion, which so remarkably supported him in the prospect of death. The friend from whom I received this was present at the church meeting when it was related, and it is given here in his own words as nearly as possible. He began by saying, "My dear Christian friends, if it is agreeable, and will afford you any pleasure, I will relate to you some of the steps by which a kind Providence hath led me. I was born of pious parents, who were very tender over their children, the short time they were continued with them in this vale of tears, and who are now, I hope, in that world where sin and sorrow never with it, so that it brought tears to my eyes. My dear father coming in at the moment, and beholding me in tears, very anxiously and tenderly `inquired the reason. I told him what I had been reading, and said with a full heart I felt my mind affected. With the affection of a fond parent he took me upon his knee, and said, in the following words, so far as I can recollect, 'All those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, shall not go into punishment.' This in some measure relieved my mind at the time, but the description given in the parable, of the awful torment of the rich man, would often recur to me, though at times it wore off. "Soon after this my dear father died, and left an affectionate widow and four dear children to lament his loss. I was the second child, and being now about seven years of age, through the interest of some kind friends I was placed in the Blue-coat School, where I continued till I was fourteen years old. During the latter part of my time at school, I was seriously impressed with religion, and was particularly noticed for my strict morality, and abstinence from flesh on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Through the restraining grace of God, I was not suffered to join with idle boys in the tricks and follies which youth are frequently fond of at that age. After I left school, I was situated so as to attend the ministry of Mr. Upton, sen. Church-street, Blackfriars, where mony to his character and attainments. This opinion was unabated, as I can testify by a letter which our brother received a few days before Mr. Y.'s death, in April, 1827, in which he expressed the most cordial affection towards him. I was seriously impressed by a sermon | Young mentioned our dear brother preached from Acts xvi. 30. What Ward, and bore the most pleasing testimust I do to be saved?' My mind was greatly agitated and distressed after hearing this sermon, but hearing the apostle's reply preached from, a short time after, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,' I saw the way of salvation through the blood and righteousness of Christ, and my sorrow was turned into joy. Some little time after this I went to my worthy pastor, to disclose to him the exercises of my mind, and to signify my desire of being baptized, and becoming a member of the church under his care, if he thought me worthy. I was proposed to the church, and went before them to relate what the Lord had done for my soul; they accepted me, and I was baptized and joined in communion with them, when I was between seventeen and eighteen years of age. "It was the intention of some of my friends that I should go into the medical profession, and I was placed with my uncle for that purpose; but others, observing my deep seriousness and fondness for theological studies, advised me to think of the ministry." This accorded with his own earnest desires, and the providence of God evidently opening the way to carry these designs and desires into effect, he was recommended to apply to the Committee of the Baptist College, Stepney, for admission as a student. He applied, and was admitted. Having laid a good foundation for classical learning when at school, he entered the Institution at Stepney with much greater advantages than many young men have possessed. He passed through his studies here with great credit to himself, and equal pleasure to his tutors. He came to Soham in December, 1824, and having preached with very pleasing acceptance for several months, the church invited him to the pastoral charge, which invitation, after having deliberated, sought the advice of his friends, and earnestly prayed unto the Lord to be directed aright, he accepted, and was ordained October 19, 1825. He was to continue, however, but a very short time with the people over whom the Lord had appointed him as a watchman. From his first coming to Soham he had the appearance of a consumptive person, and even while pursuing his studies at Stepney, his bodily frame was so weak and delicate, that he surprised many of his friends, not only by his very considerable acquirements, but by the continuance of his life. In June, 1827, having an opportunity to visit the widow of his late highly esteemed tutor, Mr. Young, and some other friends in Huntingdonshire, he availed himself of it, hoping thereby to recruit his debilitated frame. But, alas! how often are our most sanguine hopes relating to this world disappointed, and the very means we use for their accomplishment, are not unfrequently overruled for their destruction. This visit had a contrary effect to that which our brother anticipated; he took fresh cold, and from that time he gradually sunk into the grave. On his return home, calling at the house of a friend in Ely, whom he had lately baptized, from the visible change in his countenance and his consumptive cough, this friend was constrained to retire and weep for him, feeling confident that he would never recover. Towards the close of the year 1824, on account of the affliction of their worthy pastor, Mr. Norman, the church at Soham made application to Stepney for a minister. The late Mr. Young wrote to say, they had a young man who would be at liberty in about a About the latter end of August he month, if the church thought proper to contemplated a visit to the west of wait. A second letter was written, and | England, thinking that he should rea second reply obtained, in which Mr. ceive benefit from the milder air of |