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alarm, for on it she discovered the stains of Immanuel's blood. From one until two o'clock of this day, her dying pains were great. When they were at their height, she exclaimed, "This is hard work," but immediately added, "Yet it is nothing to what my Saviour suffered for me." At two o'clock her agonies abated, and from that time she suffered but little. When speech had nearly failed, she fixed her piercing gaze upon the domestic who was in the room, and with difficulty exclaimed," Sarah, meet me in heaven!" The expiring saint then kissed her beloved husband, and all her other relatives who were in that solemn chamber, and bade them "Adieu" with imperturbable serenity. On being asked, some few minutes after, if she still found her Lord with her, she could only faintly articulate, "Yes." At five minutes to three o'clock, her happy spirit took its departure to the Saviour, so gently that, for some moments, her attendants were unaware of the fact. Thus she died as she had lived, in "perfect peace."

Her remains were interred on Saturday, Nov. 10th, in the vault in front of Zion

chapel, Chatham, in the presence of a large assembly of weeping friends.

Of Mrs. Stock's character, the writer will not attempt any elaborate description. Her excellencies were too well known to those who had the privilege of enjoying her friendship, to render such details necessary for their information, and it is for them principally that this memoir is composed. The writer cannot, however, forbear stating, that during the ten years of his acquaintance with the dear deceased, he never once saw her betrayed into a passion, or even into the exhibition of feelings bordering upon such a state. And yet he has often seen her brought. into circumstances which were peculiarly trying. Would that all ministers and ministers' wives more closely resembled her in this particular.

But we must not further enlarge, but will close this brief notice by ascribing to the grace of God all the honour of the excellencies of the departed, and by exhorting our readers to be "followers of them who through faith and patience now inherit the promises."

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Miscellaneous.

WHAT BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN AND DONB. Observe what believers have been, and what they have done in the history of the past, as a proof of the sanctifying influence of saving faith, and of the holy daring with which it endues its possessors. Who sus

tained the cause of the truth in the first ages of the church, when exposed to the most powerful attacks from pagan persecutors? Believers. Who were the lights of the world during the long night which followed, from the fall of the Roman empire to the dawn of the Reformation, protesting alike, against Pagan and Popish imposture, and doing it at the risk even of life itself? Believers. Who, when the days of the reformation came, stood forth as the defenders of the Bible, braving all danger that they might restore to their fellows the free use of that Divine treasure? Believers. Who were the principal agents in perpetuating pure religion by their piety and prayers, during the generation which followed upon this crisis, when it was placed in such imminent peril? Believers. Who awoke the slumbers of our countrymen in the last century, kindling afresh the flame of devotion, which voluptuousness and infidelity had almost put out? Believers. And, above all, who have they been in past times, that have every where been scoffed at, as the pure and the precise; pointed at, as being men

of higher and holier aim than their neighbours? Believers. Yes, true believers, ever have been, are, and ever will be, distinguished in the world, for holiness and for holy daring.-Staples' Soul's Errand.

FASHIONABLE MANNERS.-There is a set of people whom I cannot bear-the pinks of fashionable propriety-whose every movement is unexceptionable; but who, though versed in all the categories of polite behaviour, have not a particle of soul or of cordiality about them. We allow that their manners may be abundantly correct. There may be elegance in every gesture, and gracefulness in every position; not a smile out of place, and not a step that would not bear the measurement of the severest scrutiny. This is all very fine; but what I want is the heart and the gaity of social intercourse--the frankness that spreads ease and animation around it-the eye that speaks affability to all, that chases timidity from every bosom, and tells every man in the company to be confident and happy. This is what I conceive to be the virtue of the text ("Be courteous"), and not the sickening formality of those who walk by rule, and would reduce the whole of human life to a wirebound system of misery and constraint.Dr. Chalmers's Sermons in Posthumous Works.

Entelligence.

THE FREEHOLD LAND MOVEMENT.

To Working Men and to Dissenters.

"If thou mayest be free, use it rather."-Paul.

It is our duty to press this subject earnestly on all our friends, indeed on our churches themselves. Vigorous attention to it, on the part of "voluntary" christians, would do more to hasten our deliverance from petty annoyances, to abolish church-rates, &c., and to expedite the emancipation of Dissenters from compulsory slavery, of the Parliamentary churches also from their voluntary, because golden, fetters, than all our other efforts put together. Mr. Cobden has told us with admirable good sense, that to be respected by the Government, we must not merely argue and teach, but place ourselves on the Register of Electors,-that had we made this our practical object, church-rates would now have been amongst the things that were. All reasoning and petitioning, he assures us, is utterly lost upon a House of Commons, the vast majority of which, whether Whigs or Tories, has no other object than to wring all they can from the people, in order to bestow it, through army, church, and navy, upon the landed aristocracy. The money-worth and the political-worth of the church itself, is its only worth in their eyes. With such men nothing avails but turning them out. A large proportion of them are too illiterate, religiously speaking, to understand the question, and nearly all are too interested to vote honestly if they did.

Now, we have a clear sure plan before us of turning the nominees of the aristocracy out of the county representation. By subscribing 1s. 6d. per week for five years, a vote may be gained for the county. At the

same rate, indeed, a person might qualify, if he chose, for all the counties of England, at least for as many as he could easily vote in. All working men earning decent wages could spare this sum. It would be a far safer investment than the Savings' Banks. It would yield double the interest for their money in the long run. It would induce them to economise. It would increase their self-respect. In a short time it would enable them to compel the House of Commons to feel that a working man had equal rights with the proudest of a Parchment Aristocracy. Every man has a right in equity, every tax-payer a right constitutionally, to vote in Parliament by his representative. Still the only way to gain our right at present is by gaining a valuable little freehold for ourselves as well as our right.

Now, earnest advocates as we have always been of universal suffrage, we shall think the working men of England unworthy of it, if they do not numerously and promptly qualify for the counties. Those who prefer spending 1s. 6d. a-week at the public-house to acquiring at once a

property and a vote, do not-we say it deliberately-do not deserve a vote.

One of the most delightful facts connected with this movement is, that it rescues workmen's wages from the publican's grasp, and that to procure him instead, the lasting advantage of a piece of garden land, or a safe rental of 45s. or 50s. a-year, by his saving about £20. The working men of Birmingham have, it is computed, saved in two years' time £11,000 from their worst enemy, the public-house.

The deacons of our churches must call the attention of the people to the subject, and the members must take it up. We need not enter into details, as they can be gathered from so many sources. The Birmingham Society has been two years in operation, and now contains 1,729 members, holding 2,359 shares. Other parts of the kingdom are following, and the partial accounts received shew a total of 7,838 members, holding 11,449 shares.

Dissenters, your easiest political defence is to join the Freehold Land Societies. Working men, your easiest and quickest way to your political rights is to join the Freehold Land Societies. Friends of the church of Christ, your easiest and quickest, way to emancipate it from political oppression or corruption is to join the Freehold Land Societies. Again we repeat, therefore, the words of Paul, "If thou mayest be free, use it rather." (1 Cor vii. 21.)

THE AGED AND INFIRM BAPTIST MINISTERS' SOCIETY.

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This truly benevolent Society has never received from the christian public that sympathy which it merits. The feeble List of Subscribers which accompanies its Report for 1849, fully proves this fact; for £26. 6s. 6d. is all it receives under this. head. Annual Collections are made by several churches in aid of its funds; but these evidently testify that its claims have never been fully appreciated; or else cougregations which can raise £20 or £30 for a popular Society, would never send twenty shillings to this! And yet twenty shillings is the average sum of the 65 churches that make collections on its behalf! For example, a wealthy church which raised £110 for the Foreign Mission this year, sent thirty shillings to the Aged Ministers' Fund! Not because it is penurious in the cause of God-it is celebrated for its liberality; but on account of that devoted people being ignorant of the wants of our brethren.

If the Baptist denomination will take up the case in earnest, and make an Annual Collection as a New Year's Gift, though it were only sixpence each member; this would raise a very large income, and place the Society in a position which it ought to enjoy.

The means now at the disposal of the Society enable them to give to the Aged Ministers connected with it, a pension of only about £9. 10s. per annum, a sum obviously and altogether inadequate to meet the necessities of the case. While they have no power to assist ministers who may not have subscribed, however deserving or necessitous.

It is therefore recommended by various ministers and brethren (amongst whom may be named the Revs. Dr. Cox, Dr. Hoby, J. Russell, Charles Daniell, and J. L. Phillips, Esq.), to the various churches of the Baptist denomination, that the subject be brought before their congregations on the first Lord's-day in January next; or to those to whom that time may be inconvenient, on the first Sabbath in February, when a sum amounting to a thousand pounds, at least, may be realized; and should the case be generally taken up, most likely £2000 would be poured into the treasury of the Lord; and this at the small sacrifice of sixpence from each member, exclusive of the congregations, and some larger donations from the rich.

Surely

none would feel this a loss, but all would enjoy the pleasure.

It is also proposed, that a Public Meeting be held in London, in April or May next, to enlarge and strengthen the operations and benefits of this Society; when it is earnestly requested that all those who feel an interest in the promotion of a pastor's comfort at a time when the infirmities of age have disabled him for the work of the ministry, will be present to give their counsel and support to an undertaking which cannot fail to approve itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

It is also proposed, that the Committee shall be empowered to diffuse a portion of the funds raised by voluntary contributions from persons who are not beneficiary members, or by churches which may make an annual collection, in the relief and assistance of any Aged or Infirm Minister, who, in their opinion, shall be thought deserving of the same. But that all contributions by beneficiary members and their churches, as well as the income of the funded property, shall be applied as heretofore.

ARCHER-STREET, DARLINGTON.

The Rev. Jas. Fyfe, formerly the pastor of the Baptist church, Shotley-field, commenced his pastorate of the church meeting in Archer-street, Darlington, on the first Lord's-day in September. A public recognition service was held in the chapel, on Tuesday evening the 25th, to give him a welcome, and to introduce him to the churches and ministers of other denominations. The meeting was presided over by

Jno. Fenwick, Esq. of Newcastle. The Rev. W. Leng, of Stockton, implored the divine blessing on the meeting, and the Rev. John Green, of Newcastle, commended the minister and the church to God in prayer. Suitable addresses were delivered by Professor Freeman, of Oberlin College (U.S.), the Rev. T. Pottenger, Newcastle, and the Rev. J. Carrick, North-Shields, the benediction being pronounced by the Rev. J. Kneebon, of Hartlepool. The meeting separated highly interested with the proceedings of the evening. May this union prove lasting and beneficial.

CASTLE ACRE, NORFOLK.

On Monday, Oct. 1st, Mr. Jabez Stutterd was set apart to the pastorate of the General Baptist church in this village, Castle Acre, Norfolk. Mr. J. Whary, of Swanton Novers, commenced with reading the scriptures and prayer; the Rev. J. C. Pike, of Wisbech, stated the nature of a Christian church; the Rev. J. Burrows, of Magdalene, proposed the questions to the church and the minister; the Rev. T. Gill, of Melbourne, Derbyshire, offered the ordination prayer, and delivered the charge; and the Rev. T. Scott, of Norwich, addressed the church.

BYRON-STREET-PRESENTATION TO THE

REV. R. HORSFIELD.

The members and friends connected with the General Baptist chapel, Leeds, met on Monday evening, Nov. 19th, for the purpose of witnessing the presentation of an elegant service to their pastor, as a testimony of their esteem for his assiduous endeavours in the promotion of the gospel of Christ. The social party having taken tea, the presentation was made by the senior deacon, who justly eulogized Mr. Horsfield for his indefatigable labours in the cause of truth. After the presentation, the Rev. Gentleman, in a very touching speech, acknowledged the kindness of his people. The Rev. Jonas Foster of Farsley, and others, afterwards addressed the meeting. The communion service, which consists of flagon, two cups, two plates, and paten, is the gift of five ladies, members of the church. ABERDEEN.

The Rev. John Arthur has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church, John-Street, Aberdeen, to the pastorate. Mr. A. has hitherto been a very acceptable lecturer and speaker in the temperance cause in Kirkcaldy and the neighbourhood.

ACCRINGTON.

The Baptist church at Accrington have invited the Rev. Edward Thomas of Netherton, near Dudley, Worcestershire, to become their pastor, and he will commence his labours amongst them on the first Sabbath in January.

BURSLEM.

The Rev. W. Barker, late of Cradley, Worcestershire, has accepted the invitation of the Baptist church, Burslem, and com. menced his stated labours there on the 25th of November, 1849.

THE CHURCH.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph. ii. 20.

FEBRUARY, 1850.

FRAGMENTARY NOTES OF VILLAGE SERMONS.

BY THE REV. JOHN FOSTER.

(Taken by one of his hearers.)

No. 2.

"The Lord of Hosts is his name."-Isaiah li. 15.

We hardly need say, that names are only used to tell us of things. Any one who is satisfied with the knowledge of names will be an ignorant man as long as he lives. Yet many are content with names, without knowing the things signified; they are little aware what imperfect hold they have on what the names import. But it is very desirable that names should furnish right conceptions of objects; this would be a glorious privilege.

What a vast treasure, then, would be in our minds, if we could understand two or three chapters of God's word, and could assign to another person the meaning of each sentence, clause, or word. To how much better purpose should we read, or talk, or pray, particularly the last, if we could connect a full and precise meaning with every word used in an address to God. If we reflect for a moment on the prayers we use, we should find that we had not always a clear, decided conception of the meaning of each expression. If asked, what particular thing you prayed for, the word or sentence being recalled,—you could not always tell the meaning.

It is important to know the meaning of words and things in general, much more of the titles of God. We should not be content to pass these words and these expressions by. Do we confess that we are greatly deficient? But are we content still to be so? content with these very slight and transient impressions of the character of God; or would we attain to some competent conception?

It would be well if, when we uttered any of God's names or titles, we enquired whether we formed an idea clearly in our minds. What good to hear what God says, or what men say, particularly of him,-what good, but so far as we comprehend it? It will be well to look back, when we have heard or read his word, and ask whether we had clear and competent conceptions of it. Less than this cannot be intelligible devotion, cannot be more than what a person would wish to attain on ordinary subjects.

VOL. IV.

C

There are many titles of God in Scripture, and these are placed there not to amuse us, not for trifling purposes, but to give us so many distinct ideas. By a solemn contemplation of all of them much may be obtained. They tell us of a great many different attributes, powers, and virtues; each gives us something different to think of God; we seem to comprebend a wider space; God comes to us with more clearness, more glory, more heaven. They give us more views of that character, the lights of which have been increasing from eternity, while we wait for the extended revelations of a future and superior scene.

God has assumed names which connect him with all things except sin, and even with that as its avenger. A thought of sin cannot occur without an idea of Him who will punish it. But, as to all other things,-the seasons, day and night, hills, vallies, clouds, thunders, lightnings,-denominations of God referring to all these are scattered up and down the Sacred Books. Therefore, when these are mentioned you should go from them to Him. It is possible to be surrounded with the works of God, and yet be "without God in the world." To connect ideas of God with the objects of nature is perhaps not a common practice even with pious men. There is a withdrawment from this mode of exercising their minds.

They say, "The Bible is enough for us," which is true in one sense; but we find the sacred writers encouraging the practice we recommend. Thus David, particularly in the Psalms, "When I consider the heavens the work of thy hands," &c. "The heavens declare the glory of God," &c. He seldom thought of the clouds or stars without thinking of God. And it is desirable that we should possess such a habit,-should contemplate nothing without piety,—ascending to heaven itself.

Pious men sometimes complain of a recurrence of the same train of thought in conducting the worship of a family, or on other occasions of social devotion. Now, though their thoughts and expressions may be good, yet it is desirable to enlarge and amplify, and one way will be to contemplate the various views given of God. So sometimes our devotions will take the cast of holy fear; at another time we may contemplate representations of the God of Mercy. This method would tend to prevent languor in devotion.

It is desirable not to view one side merely of the great object, but to go round the temple where the Divinity dwells, and view him in every situation. It depends much upon this whether our religion influence us constantly, or be of small extent and awaken little attention. Yet all our attempts are very feeble. Even those names and titles which are taken from offices and relations among men have circumstances connected with them which place Him above all competition. In the title of a Father, there are included ideas of peculiar dignity and glory, as the originator of being, of all being. As a Judge, he is the Judge of all,-the last Judge, -a Judge by his own laws. There are so many marks of divinity which distinguish him from any mortal or created being.

Possibly there are many titles and attributes of God that we know not. There may be such revelations of the qualities of this celestial Power, as we have no words to express,-something surpassingly greater than can be communicated to man on earth.

"The Lord

Some unpleasing thoughts must arise on reading our text. of Hosts." "Hosts" refers to war, and generally means a body or bodies of men intended for battle. Is God then at war? Who dare provoke Him? Is it possible that a rebellion exists which necessitates Him to take this title? It suggests most monstrous thoughts concerning this world, between which and its Creator there should be the greatest peace.

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