OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES. "THE MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT." A FEW WORDS FOR THE CHURCH AT LONDON-ST., READING. MONDAY, August the 10th, is fixed for the Ordination of brother B. B. Wale, as pastor over the above interesting corner of our gospel Zion. It is one of the many churches we have been permitted to labor with for several years; and its present prospects not only cheer and encourage us, but we think the following extracts from a letter written to us by one of its most devoted friends will be useful to other churches who are without pastors, and consequently without prosperity. DEAR BROTHER BANKS, My heart is moved with mingled feelings this morning to address a few lines to you. I have longed, prayed, and waited to see something which bore the impress of the Holy Ghost: but no sooner have our expectations been raised, than they have again been dashed to atoms. At length, I trust, the set time has arrived when God has come down to smile upon and favour this part of his Zion. Surely it will gladden the heart of my brother Banks, after the many years he has watched over and served, this church, to know that he should be the honored instrument by which the Lord shall bless us, and cause us to arise, and shine, because the light is come, and the glory of the Lord our God is risen upon us. I think, for twelve months past, more particularly, there has been manifested a spirit of prayer for a pastor after God's own heart to be raised up and settled here. Oh may all this prove to be God's work. Dear brother, you can well enter into the anxiety, care, trouble, labour, sorrow, auguish, bitterness, and almost despair at times of those holding office in a church where different ministers are supplying one Sabbath and away. How it genders that spirit of " I am for Paul," "I am for Apollos," "I am for Cephas." Ah! this has been our experience, and well do I remember October 10th, when you was at Knowl-hill, after tea, you sat down by the fire, and I asked you if there was one man anywhere you could send us? Your reply was "there is a Mr. Wale; I have sent him down to Guildford. If you like to try him I think he will come for once or so." I treasured up those words; and mentioned them to my brother deacons: they agreed as you were coming to Reading, we would authorise you to invite brother Wale for a Sabbath; and from the first sermon he preached, I had a peculiar sensation of the Spirit; a feeling of life vitalizing in its effects upon my soul. Three years, the first Sabbath in last May, the brethren (divided through Mr. Powel's ministry) reunited; and blessed be God (with all our weaknesses and imperfections) for many years I have not seen so much good feeling, peace and quietude in the church as at the present time. It is about seven months, since brother Wale first came amongst us to preach the word of life. About that time felt the church laid on my mind: for, although many good ministers have broken the bread of life to us, no real success has attended their labors. There appeared not one of all that have stood before us, to whom the mind of the church was led, to invite for any length of time. Bowed down on one occasion; distressed in spirit; and pressed beyond measure, I felt could not go on without the Lord did appear. I left my habitation; wandered out into the fields, dark at night, and in the agony of my soul, poured out my trouble before the Lord. There I did find help, suceour, support, and strength: and much refreshed I read that sweet and blessed record (1 Samuel xvi.) where God sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be king over Israel. I saw three of them caused to pass before him. Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammoh; but the Lord had not chosen these: then seven at once passed before him; but, no, neither hath God chosen these there remaineth the youngest keeping the sheep. Ah, but a youth; but the Lord said "THIS IS HE! arise! and anoint HIM!" My mind was strikingly directed to our brother Wale. My heart was enlarged to pray that God would, indeed, anoint him and settle him here! There has been a sweet response in heart and soul; and we have been led to repeat our invitations to him - from one Sabbath to two Sabbaths, then for four; then for three months. And, blessed be God, the attendance has increased; many cold hearts have been warmed; sleepy ones aroused; the careless made anxious; the weak strengthened; the hungry fed; a general movement, and some of our aged brethren feel constrained to unite by holding up both hands. At length the sense of the church was taken: 57 were present; (many absent through unavoidable circumstances sent their hearty welcome) but very few neutral either in church or congregation. Almost unanimous with one voice saying, "It is the Lord's doing." In connection with this, it is marvellous how the Lord has given brother Wale grace and love to serve us, and feel a growing attachment to the church; willing to make a sacrifice of nearly £100 per annum. Oh, yes! the Lord most decidedly bid him come, and his presence will attend him. I thought this morning, many years brother Banks has been willing to serve us, and do all he could for us as a church. Therefore, individually, for myself, I should like to tell you, that the Lord has honored you in seeing a member of your own church, and one of your own sending, owned and blessed even here. Depend on it, brother, with all that has been said about Reading, we have only wanted a ministry of the Spirit, savoring of Jesus and manifest in the conscience by the Holy Ghost. I trust this will be fully proved in brother Wale. He preaches Trinity in unity; salvation all of grace; the right of God's law and justice; the only escape from its condemnation and punishment by Jesus, through the shedding of blood, and applied by the Spirit. In a word, he preaches the truth in its power, with its causes and effects, such as his own soul has handled, tasted, and felt. And may the highest himself establish us and bless us. Since then, dear Banks, I have had some close work; searching into, and examining all the ground we have trodden. On Thursday morning last, as I stood at my cutting board, Satan thrust sore at me with his fiery darts: that cursed spirit-unbelief-set in upon my soul, till my staggering faith gave way to doubt-doubting whether God had anything at all to do with the matter-whether my prayers had not been all in vain-and that I (the principal instrument in first moving for brother Wale to come) should have to be ashamed. My hopes seemed blighted. In this struggle, and combat, with many more vile suggestions, I ventured near the throne once more to unbossom my cares and griefs at his footstool. Oh, how sweet did I feel the Holy Ghost lift up a standard against my foe! The storm was hushed to a calm; grace and supplication was poured into my soul; and an enlarged heart for the church, and for our pastor, while precious promises fell into my mind; like the good old patriarch Jacob, I said, "I WILL NOT LET THEE GO, EXCEPT THOU BLESS US." Yes! my very soul could again take courage: I could bless God for the victory, and say "IT IS WELL!" And now while I write my heart swells with peculiar emotions Godward for all the circumstances connected with our position. O, how it would humble and crumble a worm in the dust if God would but cause his church to flourish here even by a stripling. My brother, I am your's affectionately, in Jesus, ABIJAH MARTIN. SALEM CHAPEL, WILTON SQUARE. BUT a few years ago the inhabitants of London could leave their busy scenes, and wending their way from the bank, through Finsbury-square and Tabernacle Walk, would (in a very short time) find themselves in pleasant green fields, shady groves, and rural retreats, all of which are now covered with houses of every variety, which have sprung up like mushrooms, and almost imperceptibly become inhabited with their tens of thousands of living souls. In this entirely new neighbourhod, we have been led, we trust, by the Covenant God of Israel, to plant the banner of the cross, and we hope not unsuccessfully. After much exercise of mind about the neighbourhood, we were brought to a decision, by being informed that Salem Chapel, Wilton Square, was for sale or hire. We immediately made application for it, but were informed that another party stood before us. Still hope was held out to us, from the fact, that we were nearer in sentiment to the covenant of the lease than our competitors. But we had three weeks to wait, before we could know the decision of the sellers. During this time, much earnest, heart-felt, wrestling prayer was offered at the throne of grace, for divine direction; and many sweet promises were given in answer thereto; indeed, it was one of the most solemn, hallowed seasons of our life: promise upon promise was given, whole chapters made our own, and the throne seemed ever accessible. The Lord said "go forward;" and forward we were constrained to go. However, "God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor our ways God's ways:" at the end of three weeks we received the intelligence, that Salem had passed into the other hands, and we were disappointed. Here was some hard work for faith. Every promise given was so connected with Salem, and Salem with the promise, that it seemed now Salem was lost, all was lost; still we could but believe God had spoken; and yet if he had spoken, his word had failed. Here Satan thrust hard; here heart and flesh seemed to fail; the Lord in measure hid his face; prayer became a task and the promise lost its savour. Still the Lord seemed to say, "go forward!" Again, the past is reviewed and reviewed again, and we could only conclude the Lord's hand was in it. "Go forward," would still speak, but where could we go; the only door we could see was closed against us. In vain we traced the neighbourhood through and through again for a temporay place; there was a Chapel in Butterslandstreet to let, but that was too near the Cityroad, and we were determined not to go there, as we did not wish to interfere with any old cause: our oubject being to carry the gospel where it was not preached; beside all this, the mind was directed to the new neighbourhood of De Beauvoir Town and its vicinity: and from that neighbourhood it would not rove. Dorchester Hall was the only place to be found, but that was further than we liked from the field of our hopes and projects; but there was no alternative, and Dorchester Hall was taken; four male friends was all our staff at that time, engaged to see the rent for three month's paid, and "In the name of our God we set up our banners." The circumstances under which we commenced were anything but propitious; but few encouraged us, and fewer still came to help us; still there were a few good men who were neither ashamed nor afraid to come and wish us God speed, and of their kindness we would not be unmindful: our brethren Cozens, Wilkins, and Wells preached at the opening services; and power and unction attended the word. Shortly after the opening we held a tea meeting. (which THE EARTHEN VESSEL called a "Model meeting,") at which our brethren C. W. Banks, Cozens, Wilkins and Williamson kindly took part; and verily we can say it was one of the best meetings we were ever at. These things emboldened us to "go forward;" for we said, if God bless, let who will curse. Our little place was soon filled to overflowing, and we believe "the glory of the Lord filled the house;" and these things made no small stir in the neighbourhood: the devil roared, men frowned, but God smiled; many opinions were expressed,-some said God would not bless, some said God could not bless, but the Lord said he would bless, and so he did; numbers came to hear, some of whom went away complaining, some rejoicing; some found meat, and sat down quietly to feed; some came once and once was enough; some got their ears bored to the place, and have never rambled since; some got their arminian hearts hardened, and went away in a rage; some fell under the powers of divine truth, and obeyed the commands of the Lord. However, our walls soon became too strait for us, and we found it necessary to look for a larger place, but we looked in vain. Hearing that the good folks at Salem did not succeed, we paid them a visit, informing them that if they wanted to part with the chapel, we were ready to negotiate. In answer to which, they only expressed their surprise that we should think of such a thing, seeing they had had no such thoughts themselves. ber, almost every addition informing us that they had been long-some for years-praying for the gospel to be brought into the neighborhood; and that they believed the place was opened in answer to prayer. But to return to our building. We waited many weeks before we obtained our draft of agreement, and when it came there were covenants in it we did not like; hence several meetings were held, and some weeks past before we were agreed. At length a day was fixed, and friends deputed to see the agent, and sign the agreement. But again, "Our ways are not God's ways;" and hence, though we must be again disappointed, yet, as we had sought Divine direction, and many times pleaded not to be left to have our own way, the Lord would be our Guide; and therefore one of our friends was unable to go to sign the agreement; and that very afternoon a letter came, to say "Salem" was for sale, and we could have it. Meetings were at once held, a committee formed, a fund About this time, when searching one morn- opened, contributions came in liberally, and ing, we found a building, in course of erec-in a few weeks the chapel was purchased and tion for a large workshop. We enquired of the builder if he would finish it for a chapel, to which he consented, and we thought we had now found the place; but our ways were not God's ways; we parted for £5, he wanting £65 per annum for fourteen years' lease, and we being unwilling to give more than £60 for so long a term, and especially as there was no possible way of enlarging, Now our difficulties seemed to increase; a larger place was absolutely necessary, and not to be had. There appeared only one way before us, which was to build; but some of us had had a little to do with building, and had found that little enough; besides which, we could not get our minds free from Salem. opened, and, like the Israelites of old, we had to "go out with haste," for the very day our second quarter ended at Dorchesterhall, we held our last service in that place. "Lo, these are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him!" The chapel was opened on Lord's-day, March 13th, when brethren Cozens, Irish, and Flack preached, and it was that day felt that the house was consecrated by the great Bishop of souls. On the following day (Monday) Mr. Wells was to have preached in the afternoon, but illness prevented his being present, he being unable to preach at his own chapel the day before. However, we had a good substitute the pulpit, was favoured with his Master's presence, and preached a good and an appropriate sermon from Psalm lxiii. 7. Under these circumstances we held special-our brother Wilkins, of Greenwich, taking prayer meetings for Divine direction, but no special answer was given. At length our minds rested on a site, and we determined, if we could agree with the landlord, to build. We made application, and there appeared no difficulty in the way; but weeks rolled away before we could obtain a definite answer, or rather, a draft of agreement. During this interval our minds were directed to the formation of a church; and on making it known several staid old Christians came forward whose testimonies will not be soon forgotten; and having given ourselves to one another and to the Lord, we were, on the 13th of January, convened together in Providence Chapel, Cumberland Street, Shoreditch (kindly lent for the occasion), and our good brethren Foreman and Wells took the prominent parts of forming the church, and addressing the pastor. On that occasion the house was filled to overflowing, and our brethren were thoroughly at home in their work. A blessing evidently rested on the services, and twentyone believers were formed into a gospel church, of Strict Particular Baptist principles. Since then we have continued to increase, adding a few every ordinance day, till we have now about doubled that num In the evening a public meeting was held, when good addresses were delivered by brethren Wilkins, Green, of Cumberland-street, Hall, of Dartford, and Dovey, of Stoke Newington. On the following Thursday our brother Banks favoured us with a good, experimental sermon from the words, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, oh, Lord of hosts!" And we may truly say of all these services, they were very good. For we had good sermons, good addresses, good congregations to hear them, and good collections after them; and above all, the good-will of Him that dwelt in the bush " was upon us. On the 24th, and 26th of May, we again held special services, when our brethren Hazelton preached in the morning, Foreman in the afternoon, and Flack in the evening; we had then a full house morning and afternoon, but crowded in the evening; our brother Foreman gave us some very precious, experimental things from, "He remembered us in our low estate, for his mercy endureth for ever;" and they seemed truly applicable to our condition. On the following Tuesday, THE EARTHEN VESSEL. our brother Wells gave us a good old fashion- The brethren spake well; the friends gave well; the singers sung well; and we said well done and broke up. On Wednesday, June 3rd, we baptized four believers at Mr. Hazelton's chapel, kindly lent for the occasion, and on the following Lord's-day received eight baptized believers into Church fellowship. Thus we have endeavoured to give a brief, but faithful account of the Lord's gracious dealings with us during the last nine months, and we are constrained to exclaim, "what hath God wrought ?" "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." Still we want more done: we have got a pretty, neat, little chapel that every body is in love with, but we have a debt of £340. upon it: it seats only three hundred, and this is not large enough; we are comfortably filled in the morning; we have a nice little congregation in the afternoon; but in the evening we are uncomfortably full; we have plenty of room for enlargement, but we have not the means; we also want a baptistry; and we also want a school: we have a fine large room under the Chapel, but it wants fitting up, we think we could obtain one hundred more sittings, and fit up the school to accommodate three hundred children, and make the baptistry for about £100. But we cannot do it our own friends, who are for the most part poor, have done nobly, and we, feel we cannot for the present look to them for anything more than their ordinary contributions. Are there no lovers of Zion, and lovers of truth that can come and help us? The cause is God's; the earth also is his and the fulness thereof; we leave it in his hands. ciple is voluntary; our seats are free; our Our princhapel is open for preaching Lord's-days, morning, afternoon and evening; and Thursday evening: Prayer meetings: Lord's-day mornings at 10 o'clock ;Monday evenings at 7 o'clock, when the minister gives a short address. Contributions would be thankfully received by the minister, Mr. Flack, 40, Ufton Road, Downham Road, N.; Mr. Wm. Clark, 40, Richard St., Liverpool Road, Islington, N.; Mr. Geo. Sawyer, 8, Balm's Terrace, Southgate Road, N. [AUGUST 1, 1857. from place to place-and so the little church has now rolled on from Bermondsey to Rotherhithe; and on Monday, the 8th of June, an interesting meeting was held at the above place, for the purpose of forming a gospel church. A goodly company sat down to tea, women;" after which, the meeting was opened most sumptuously provided by the “honorable by our brother Parker, reading two or three verses of the 46th Psalm, making some very impressive and encouraging remarks thereon, and imploring God's blessing upon the people. Our brother, C. W. Banks, (in his usual faction with the able, clear, and concise manner Brother Butterfield was then chosen pastor, The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was seemed to either know or have any concern I have taken the VESSEL nearly from its commencement, and my soul has oftentimes been refreshed in reading testimonies, both of the living and dying But, having been afflicted now above four months; six weeks in March and April I was not able to go out at all, and now I just manage to get to chapel with a crutch and stick, and sit in the pulpit and preach twice on the Sabbath. I have not only been blessed in my own soul during the affliction, but the Lord has greatly blessed the Word preached, to the conversion of sinners and to edifying his saints. During my affliction I have looked over a great part of the EARTHEN VESSEL, and in reading the account of some good men who were well known to me :-Stephens, Curtis, James, Sedgwick, and others,-men of God whom I loved-my soul rejoiced that the same truths they preached, were the same truths my soul delights in, and which I endeavour to preach, as far as the Lord gives me the ability. I have therefore made a present of all the volumes of the EARTHEN VESSEL and Gospel Herald, to the Library held in our chapel, with a desire that it may be like "bread cast upon the waters, to be seen after many days." I also send a brief account of the services of the association, held at Cransford this year. On the morning of Tuesday, the 9th of June, a large assembly met in a meadow belonging to Mr. Row, in the large and commodious tent belonging to the association of the Suffolk and Norfolk Baptist Churches. After singing and prayer, brother Collins, of Grundisburgh, was chosen moderator. The letters from the churches, twenty-five in number were read, and it was gratifying to hear that they were of a more cheering and encouraging nature than in former years. In the afternoon, brother Bland, of London, preached from Acts ix. 6. In the evening, brother Isaac of Brighton preached from Luke xv. 2. The ministers and messengers met in the chapel for business in the afternoon, where peace and harmony prevailed. One other church joined the Association. It was also resolved at the instance of the moderator, "that action be taken in the churches for aiding the 'Widow's Fund,' by constituting certain brethren, members of that institution, it having been ascertained that many widows of ministers, in Suffolk and Norfolk have received the benefit of the fund, while no contribution has been made to it. Grants from the Association Fund to the poorer churches have been made, to the amount of £65. On Wednesday morning, a prayer-meeting was held in the tent at six o'clock, several brethren prayed. Brother Bird, of Rattlesden delivered an address. It was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. At half-past ten an immense congregation had assembled. After singing and prayer, brother Wright, of Beccles, delivered an excellent "There is discourse from Rom. viii. 1. therefore now no condemnation," &c. In the afternoon, brother Cooper, of Wattisham, preached from 1 Thess. i. 15, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, &c." The usual hymn was sung at the close "Blest be the tie that binds," &c. The collections amounted to £27. Dear Brother-I have written this as it came to my mind. Accept of the small freewill offering, and love to yourself. I remain, yours in gospel bonds, J. BALDWIN. Cransford, near Wickham Market, Suffolk, July 7, 1857. [We must, in connection with this kind note, acknowledge the receipt of many similar. It is evident, beyond dispute, while many have been reviling, and we have been labouring and suffering almost a martyr's life, the Lord has given his sanction and blessing to this work. Our aching hearts heave a thousand sighs, for a freedom righteous, honorable and entire.-ED.] WHITESTONE, HEREFORDSHIRE. DEAR BROTHER,-Our annual tea meeting was held on Whit-Monday, June 1st. We were favored with a most delightful day. About half-past four o'clock the greater part of our friends had assembled, and the announcement for tea was given; the verse, "Be present at our table, Lord," &c., being sung by the congregation, the clatter of teacups and the consuming of plum-cake soon followed. At six o'clock we commenced the public service by singing, "Kindred in Christ," &c., we read the 148th Psalm, and Mr. Nash, of Leominster, implored the blessing of heaven to attend We then sung, the speakers and hearers. "Descend from heaven, immortal Dove," &c.; when we introduced the subject of the Lord's tender care over the cause at Whitestone another year; this being the fourth annual tea meeting at which we have presided, and the past year being the most trying one we have ever been called to witness, and also the year above all others in which we have seen the Lord's kind interpositions. Although we are scandalized and vilified by some, yet the cause lives and grows. We then called upon Mr. Mudge, of Fownhope, (in this country,) who delivered a very sober address on the glories of the heavenly state, and the absolute necessity of the qualifications for the enjoyment of that state which God, as God, would approve, &c., which consisted in the communication of Divine life by the intermediate steps between this first gracious the invincible power of the Holy Ghost, and all act and the final enjoyment of the "glory to be revealed," was the effect of the faithful love of the same Divine Agent. Mr. Wale, of Ledbury, next addressed the meeting. The theme of our young "Boanerges" was "the necessity of greater activity in the several departments of Christian enterprise." Mr. w. illustrated his remarks by some telling anecdotes, which had the effect of drawing tears from |