offered to assist, which assistance is accepted. | Peace dwells in our midst, and we are looking up to the Lord for better days; and we can say, our expectation is alone from him; for "what can we feeble folk do" without our God in the power of his grace, love, and mercy? Nothing; but we hang upon his promise, "I will work all my work in them," yea, and for them, too. I find that the chapel was erected through the instrumentality of Mr. J. Lucas, who laboured in this island for many years, through the kind subscriptions of many of the churches in England, and others; but through some misunderstanding, mismanagement, &c., owing chiefly to the peculiar nature of the laws of this island, it has not been properly invested in trust on behalf of the church, but is now waiting the accomplishment of the same for funds. I have been in communication with Mr. Lucas for some months, and all is done but the means, which we are looking to the Lord for. The place had fallen very much out of repair, and a debt incurred as well. We need help in male Christians, the population being more than three females to one male. Should any of the Lord's ministers be visiting this island, we should be glad of their ministerial assistance, as well as the presence of all who come to view this romantic spot in the midst of the sea. Wishing you every blessing in your every capacity in the church of God, with his providential merey in this wilderness of time. Yours in the gospel, Les Pres House, St. Helier's. W. S. THOMPSON. CHATTERIS. tion and exertion. The number of the children West End, Tring, to shew my reasons for not settling there. I labored there for thirteen months, receiving a three-fold unanimous invitation to the pastorate, but the labors were too heavy. The Lord has been gracious to own my labors. A large assembly was at the farewell address. I have done my best for them; and in leaving, believe I have the respect and esteem of many, as well as being and leaving in union with brethren in the ministry. I am now entirely at the service of churches where supplies are wanted. Address, F. Green, 27, Hatton-garden, London. [The history of the church at West End, Tring, has been a very chequered one. It cannot be said that Tring is destitute. Mr. Geo. Wyard is at Akeman-street still; at West End there is a nice chapel, and in it the gospel has been preached for many years; and neither Mr. Wyard, or any other Christian man, could rejoice to see it either shut up, or occupied by anti-gospel parties. Let us still pray that some devoted Gideon may yet be raised up, and sent unto them.-ED.] BRIEF NOTICES. FAMILY GODLINESS. By the Rev. James We hesitate not to affirm that we sincerely love true godliness, let it be found where it may; but mere pretensions to religion, associated with lax and indifferent practices, we ever must abhor. Perhaps it may cause some to revile if we here speak our mind. The probability shall not deter us. We sometimes dare to think that our deep love of puritanical and practical religion has carried us too far in unwarranted efforts: the consequences have been the very reverse of all that we deserved; and deeply stung, and painfully reproached, we have been called to endure much hardness. Still, in our very souls we love such living embodiments of vital Christianity as Paul describes in Phil. ii. 14-16, and many such like exhortations. We cannot, therefore, speak lightly of Mr. Gregory's "Family Godliness.' A few short papers on Family Worship, which we hope to give, may lead us to refer to this pamphlet again." On the 22nd of July the annual treat for the Sabbath-school children at Zion Chapel, Chatteris, took place. A kind Providence blessed us with a fine day. In the chapel Mr. Wilkins, of Greenwich, and Mr. Austin, of Deptford (in the presence of other ministers, and many Christian friends, and the teachers), asked the children some important Scripture questions, and some very satisfactory answers were given. The children also sung some pieces, which gratified the ministers and all present. There was evident considerable progress, and great praise is due to the leader of our singing (Mr. Papworth) for the great pains bestowed upon the children; and, indeed, to all the teachers, for their constant attenin the school is about 230. Then, from the chapel: The ministers first, then the females and their teachers, with mottoes and banners; then the males in the same order passed through the THE CORONET AND THE CROSS: OR, MEMOmiddle part of the town to the new barn, on the RIALS OF THE RIGHT HON. SELINA, THE premises of Mr. James Smith (elegantly fitted_up COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON, &c. &c. By with mottoes, flowers, &c.), for the tea. children having partaken of cake and tea, retired Alfred H. New; Author of "The Voice of to the field of Mr. Smith adjoining, for recreation. the Bible to the Age." London: Partridge Then ministers and friends, to the number of 300, and Co; Knight and Son, Clerkenwell. sat down to partake of a rich supply of tea, cake, &c., with very pleasing countenances. This being This splendid work is now complete. It finished, we were favored with some appropriate comprises a plain, practical, and truly inspeeches on important religious subjects, worthy teresting record of the life and labours of to be retained. The meeting closed by singing, that valiant woman, the Countess, whose expeand a vote of thanks to Mr. Smith for the build-rience and zeal we have, in former articles, ings and grass field. We ought to blush that there was not a vote of thanks to our kind-hearted began to review; and hope, as the win females for the great pains they bestowed in pro- ter draws on, to have time to renew those viding the mottoes, &c. We must hope for pro- papers entitled "The Countess and the Coalgress in those who may live to witness another heaver." gathering. The The Great Head of the Church is mindful over us. This volume of Mr. New's is a complete miAlthough we have no settled minister at Zion,nisterial and evangelical memoir of the times yet we are highly favored with excellent supplies. of the Countess. We think, in these times, it might be very useful if extensively known MINIMUS. and read. A beautiful vein of sweetly told out narrative runs through the whole. Oh! that we may be kept prayerful and thankful! Amen. WEST END, TRING. DEAR SIR.-I feel it proper, in relinquishing the invitation given me by the Baptist church, EUSTACE CAREY: A MISSIONARY IN INDIA. London: Pewtress and Co., 4, Ave Maria | vise them to read this plain but powerful exLane; and J. Heaton and Son. posure. This splendid volume is a noble specimen of What a multitude of mysteries surround female biography, and of refined and sancti- us! We have now for review, sermons by Mr. fied talent, devoted to the rearing a monument J. C. Philpot, who fled from the Church of in most affectionate remembrance of a much England, because of some of her most deadly loved husband. We say nothing of the theo-errors; also, sermons by Mr. West, of Winlogy of the work; nor do we vouch for the chelsea, who stands up boldly for the Church purity of the great missionay ernterprize in of England, as a church based upon solid gosall its movements and results, but we do say, pel truth. Look at these three men-J.C. Mrs. Eustace Carey has done her work well; Philpot, J. West, and George Wright: all and we think there is scarcely a Christian of them, we hope, good men but in what lady in Europe but will feel proud in laying different positions! How divided! Each this handsome volume on their table, and contending hard for special favorite points: thereby encouraging the heart and strength- and each to be more distinctly noticed another ening the hands of the bereaved widow. The day. Our zealous Non-Cons. should extenun-Christianlike attempt which the newly sively circulate Mr. Wright's "Confirmation" elected editor of "The Baptist Magazine" has among their neighbours in the Establishment. made to point out a trifling error or two in grammar, is both cowardly and cruel: a futile effort to appear very clever. We are quite anxious more fully to review the work and the missionary question entire. CONFIRMATION, &c., &c. A SERMON BY MR. On the first Lord's-day in July, 1857, the venerable pastor of the Baptist Chapel, Beccles, Suffolk, delivered a sermon on the deceptive and delusive character of the Church of England Confirmation. That sermon has been published; and if any of our readers question the Scriptural nature either of Church of England baptism or confirmation, we ad RHYMES WORTH REMEMBERING, FOR THE YOUNG. Third Thousand. London: Partridge and Co. A wholesome and delightful little present for children. All who can appreciate Mr. S. W. Partridge's excellent poetical genius, will be glad to learn that his most appropriate pieces for the young have met with a warm and extensive welcome. MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HALDIMAND REGULAR BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, HELD AT HALDIMAND, June, 1857, Circular Letter,&c. This is a growing cause but its soil, plants, and fruits, will be described another day. REDEMPTION FUND, FOR ENTIRELY EMANCIPATING "THE EARTHEN VESSEL." Sum announced last month Per Mr Wells: F. E. M., 18. £43 15 9 £1 3s 9d; Jas. Chinnery, 5s; Charles and Elizab. Mr Evans, King's-cross, £1; Three Readers, Watcham, 158.; Jas. Pennecook, 5s; R. White, Banbury, 38; B. G., Devizes, hopes every one will 58; Elder W. Gearey, 58; J. Jessop and Friends, do the same, 6d; D. S., Paddington, 58; G. Ever-118 3d; Mrs M. Ross, 2s 6d; Jac. Woodruff, 28 6d. ard, Somerstown, 18; J. Harris, 18; A Trifle, 6d; Total (Halifax currency) £3 158; equal to £3 C. B. Clift, 18; Thomas Lamb and Friends at From Devenport-Mr Joseph Greenslade sends his sterling. Crudwell, 128 6d. third contribution as follows: "My much esteemtion of the VESSEL £1 14s as follows: Mr Luscomb, ed brother Banks, I have sent you for the redempmessenger at Mr. Hodges' Bank, Devonport, 10s; Myself, £1; M. Allen, South-street chapel, 6d; Jugo, New-passage, 6d.; Three friends, Bethlem Three others at South-street chapel, Is 6d; Mr chapel, 18 6d. I work hard for the circulation of the VESSEL: I take twelve copies per month. May God the Holy Spirit incline the hearts of many What I cannot sell I give more to do likewise. A Lover of "Redemption," even down to THE EARTHEN VESSEL, W.Z., Walthamstow, 6d; Clare, 18; Stephen Reeves, Clevedon, 6d; Ezra Cooper, Brockley, given at Keddington anniversary, 18; Mr Spratley, Vauxhall, 108; Mr Grenville, Hounslow, 28 61; Friends at Hounslow, 38; Mr. John Pells, Clare, 6d; Mr Wilson, Wooburn-green, 2s; Mr R. Harding, Hazelmere, 28 6d; Miss Sykes, Reading. 18 6d; Mr, Mrs and Miss Emily Kate Garnett, 1s 6d; F. R. C., Watford, 18; Eliza, E. B. 1s; Reader, Leicester, 6d. Per Mr James Cox, Surrey Tabernacle: Mr W. Meager, Esq., Swansea, S. Wales, £5. From North America-Mr. William Peck, of Belliville, Canada West, near city of Ottawa, sends as follows: "Subscription on behalf of THE EARTHEN VESSEL, expressive of our sympathies with the Editor (Mr. C. W. Banks), and to help place the VESSEL in his hands clear of debt: Wm. Peck, away." From Saxmundham : Mr. W. Day, Baptist Minister, and Friends, £1. By Mr Williamson: Mr W. H. Bildeston, 28 6d. We are permitted to announce that some of our agents have kindly volunteered to received donations. Christian friends in rural districts and populous neighbourhoods, who would act as agents to the VESSEL, may have all the necessary information sent them by addressing C. W. Banks, 2, Eldon-place, Upper Grange Road, Bermondsey, S.E. Reprobation: What it is not: What it is. BY MR. SAMUEL COZENS, MINISTER OF BEULAH CHAPEL, SOMERS TOWN. To the Editor of the EARthen Vessel. SIR,-For the cause of truth, for the good of souls, for the glory of God, I demand space in your VESSEL, to reply to the illogical, illusive, and anti-theological rejoinder of your friend Bowles. And, allow me to say, sir, that there is as much "difference between the principles of Mr. Cozens and Mr. Bowles," as there is between the principles of truth and error; at least, I judge so, if the letter you have inserted be a fair sample of his orthodoxy, alias, heterodoxy. And I am confident, sir, that you will concur with me, when I say, that men should study the rules of logic before they assume a polemical attitude and most assuredly they ought to know things that differ in theology ere they presume to discuss the "deep things of God." I write thus, because, it is obvious, that your friend knows not how to distinguish negative from positive reprobation-knows not how to distinguish God's will of purpose, from his will of precept: and I infer from a certain quotation and remark that he knows not how to distinguish natural, from acquired; and acquired from judicial hardness, and of consequence, "there is something so unmeaning" in that passage of mine, viz: unconditional reprobation is a Bible fact; but unconditional reprobation to damnation is not. Now, sir, I am not going to recant, or recall, or revise that passage; neither am I going to "deny the doctrine of reprobation," nor shall I attempt to "soften down the truth;" but, I will endeavour by God's help to enlighten his optics upon the subject. salvation is righteousness. And this, sir, is not "a modern dogma ;" it is as old as Gill, who said "Negative reprobation is the act of preterition, or God passing by, leaving, taking no notice of some, while he chose others. Now the objects of this act are to be considered either in the pure mass of creatureship, or in the corrupt mass; if in the pure mass of creatureship no injustice is done by this act, for as it found them, it left them; it put nothing into them, no evil in them, nor appointed them to any, of any kind; man after, and notwithstanding this act, came into the world an upright creature, and became sinful, not by virtue of this act, but by their own inventions: or, if considered in the corrupt mass as fallen creatures, sunk in sin and misery, which is the case of all mankind; since God was not obliged to save any of the sinful race of man, whose destruction was of themselves, it could be no injustice to pass by some in this condition, when he chose others; for it would have been no injustice to have condemned all, as he did the angels that sinned, whom he spared not. "Positive reprobation is the decree, or appointment to damnation: now, as God damns no man but for sin, so he had decreed to damn no man but for sin; and if it is no unrighteousness in him to damn men for sin, so it can be no unrighteousness in him to decree to damn any for it. God did not make man wicked; he made man upright, and he has made himself wicked, and being so, God may justly appoint him to damnation for his wickedness." Indeed I could show this "dogma" is as old as old father Bunyan, Ness, Origen, and many other giant minds; whose acquaintance, I fear, Mr. B. has not made, or, he would not have given me the credit of the "dogma." Be it known, therefore, to Mr. Bowles, that negative reprobation is founded in God's will of purpose; and that is unconditional reprobation: positive reprobation is connected with God's will of precept: and that is conditional (that is to say, is in consequence of sin) repro- In paragraph the third; Mr. Bowles asks, bation to damnation: negative reprobation is "Now, sir, how can we understand this ?" irrespective of sin; positive reprobation to "This "-what? If he means that which goes damnation is for sin: negative reprobation before; viz, the fault of the ungodly? I anleaves the creature out of the bounds of elec-swer, by an authority he will respect I should tion; positive reprobation is to appoint to everlasting destruction: negative reprobation respects God's sovereignty; positive reprobation respects his justice. Sovereignty according to purpose leaves the reprobate where it found the elect; but justice according to precept (violated) sends the reprobate to hell. God appointeth no man to damnation, merely from sovereignty, but by the rules of justice. Reprobation maketh no man personally a sinner, neither doth election make any man personally righteous. It was the transgression of the law that made man a sinner; and it is the imputation of righteousness that makes a man righteous. Hence, the meritorious cause of damnation is sin; as the meritorious cause of hope more than mine. "The soul that sinneth it shall die." Is sin a fault? If so, then death is for a fault. Sin is not the cause of the decree of reprobation, but of the thing decreed-eternal damnation. Thus, Sir, unconditional reprobation is a Bible fact, but unconditional reprobation to damnation is not. He may tell me that "God hath made the wicked for the day of evil." True: but mark it is the "wicked." He may quote "For this purpose have I raised thee up"-but, observe, it is not for this purpose have I made thee. God did not make Pharaoh what he was, or he had not been accountable for what he did. If by "This," I am to understand what follows; viz, "In eternal election they are passed by." Well, what of that? Who said they were not? Did that damn them? No! I say emphatically, No! Election in the ark passed by the inhabitants of the old world; but, Was that the cause of their destruction? He may reply, if they had been in the ark, they would have been saved; that is what we term bagging the question: they were drowned (irrespective of the ark, and would have been destroyed if there had been no ark) for sin. In Lot's choice, the Sodomites were passed by; but, Was that the cause of their damnation ? No; there sin would have destroyed them if there had been no Lot to choose, and save. The doctrine of election has nothing at all to do with the question at issue. Election is no more the cause of damnation, than Prince Albert's union to our beloved Lady the Queen, is the cause of the prostitution in this populous city; or, than the treasures in the Bank of England is the cause of filling the Queen's Bench with debtors; or, than the deed securing an estate to the heir is the cause of others wandering as fugitives in the earth; or, than the recipe in the physician's prescription-book is the cause of mortality. Again, Mr. B. says "In redemption they are passed by." Truly! but, What of that? Did that damn them ? The blood of the passover-lamb passed by the Egyptians, but Did that destroy them? No. What did? the sword of justice. What for? their sin. The Israelites passed through the Red Sea. Did that destroy their enemies ? No! What did ? their presumption. Again, Mr. B. says "In vocation they are passed by." Most undoubtedly: but, What of that! Abram was called out of Ur; but, Did that make the Chaldeans idolaters ? Certainly not. Is her Majesty's selection of a certain number of counsellors the reason why there are so many fools in the kingdom? Of course not. Will Mr. Bowles inform us, Who is to tell the ungodly, that, because, their names are not in the Book of Life, etc., etc., it is their fault they are not saved; or, in other words, they are lost! Is this logical? Is this argumentative? According to Mr. B.'s logic they are lost, because "In election they were passed by; because in redemption they were passed by; because in vocation they are passed by." Fie! Fie! Mr. Bowles. say without fear of successful contradiction, that it is not their fault that their names are not in heaventhat they are not redeemed-that they are not called-that they are not saved; but it is for their faults that they are damned. That is all I have contended; that is all I am contending for,-" Damnation comes of man's own voluntary sin, and is the wages thereof. Should God constrain the creature to sin, and then damn him for it, he deligheth in the destruction of his creatures, contrary to Ezek. xviii, 23, and xxxiii. 11. God did not thrust Adam into sin, as after he had sinned he thrust him out of Eden for sin." As to Jacob and Esau, they have nothing to do with the subject of discussion. They are merely brought forward by the Apostle to illustrate the doctrine of divine sovereignty in the election of some, and the rejection of others-a doctrine I hold as "roundly" as Mr. B. If the words read thus" Jacob have I saved, but Esau have I damned," there would be some propriety in the quotation; but the passage runs-" Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Yes, and this was true before they had done anything either to merit or forfeit his favor: and, hence Mr. B.'s parenthesis argues nothing, because I have not contended for personal merit-because the point in dispute is not innocence—not sinlessness: but sinfulness, guiltiness. Let Mr. B. read the text again and ask, Are salvation and damnation in the passage? or, Are election and reprobation? Election and reprobation to be sure. And let me inform your worthy friend, that, God's loving Jacob, did not save him. Jacob was not saved by love, but by blood, by the work of that God-angel, who redeemed him from all evil. Hence, if there was no evil when Jacob was loved, there was some after, and blood must remove that evil; for without shedding of blood there is no remission. And therefore, it was not by love, but by blood, his sins were remitted, and his soul was saved. We know love prompted the act, but we must distinguish between the affection and the action. Allow me to suppose a case-You are incarcerated for debt; I may love you sincerely, may go to your ward and solemnly aver, "I do love you," but that won't release you from your obligations to your creditor, nor deliver you from your prison: but, if I were to discharge your liabilities, then I should save you from the dungeon. You may say God's love secured that. Granted; but pray make a distinction between that, and that which it secures. Disputants ought to know how to distinguish moving from meritorious causes; or impulsive from instrumental causes. We must go into God for the moving, and into Christ for the meritorious cause of salvation. And let Mr. B. know, that salvation, though originating in the moving cause, could not have been secured without the meritorious cause. And so we argue that God's hating Esau did not damn him; it only left him; and this is the palpable meaning of the apostle "That the purpose of God according to election might stand." Now it is quite clear from Mr. B.'s own showing, that there was no evil when this sovereign act passed upon the two brothers; then it follows-that Esau was faultless when left so that God did him no injury. Now, sir, if Esau was damned, he was not damned because he was left,-because he was faultless when the act of reprobation passed upon him. I am not now disputing the certainty of his damnation, but I maintain that God's leaving him, though it issued in, was not the cause of his damnation. Need I say more than request Mr. Bowles to consult his own experience? To ask himself, Was I ever convinced of sin? What were my views and feelings then? Did I charge my faults upon God, or upon myself? Did I tremble under the terrors of his law? Did I fear that hell would be my deserved A JOURNEY TO RAMSGATE. abode ? Did I not acknowledge that God | MY SAVIOUR ALONE EXALTED. would be just in consigning me to "everlasting burnings?" Did I not see that my sins were enough to damn a thousand souls? Did I find mercy through blood? Answer these questions, I sincerely hope he can; in doing which, he will experimentally understand the meaning of Hos. xiii. 9.; and he will have the conclusion of the whole matter confirmed in his own soul; for he must confess that if God had damned him it would have been for his own faults. One would suppose, from the concluding remarks of your friend, that the writer of these lines was ashamed of the truth, and could not endorse the everlasting gospel; but allow me to say that I hold the doctrine of divine sovereignty as firmly and as cordially as any man: my published works, and my preaching being witness. Yes, sir, I believe in, hold fast of, and fearlessly proclaim unconditional, personal, eternal, and irrevocable election, issuing in glorification, through mediatorial accomplishments, &c. And I argue, in spite of the quibbles of Mr. B., that election had not issued, cannot issue in glorification without mediation on the Son's part; without sanctification on the Spirit's part. Election travels through vocation (or the work of the Spirit-by whom we are called) and justification (or the work of Christ by which we are justified) into glorification! Rom. viii. 30. And, by a parity of reason, we conclude that as election doth not issue in salvation but by merit, so reprobation doth not issue in damnation but by sin; and hence, I again say, reprobation to damnation is for a fault. And, as to the everlasting gospel, I love it, 1st, because it tells me of everlasting love; 2ndly,because it is a copy of the everlasting covenant; 3rdly, because it is the record of everlasting mercy; 4thly, because it reveals everlasting righteousness; 5thly, because it is the document of everlasting redemption; 6thly, because it proclaims everlasting salvation; 7thly, because it points out the everlasting way; 8thly, because it is the lamp of everlasting light; 9thly, because it is the instrument of everlasting life; 10thly, because it inspires the everlasting song; 11thly, because it conducts into the everlasting kingdom; 12thly, because it crowns with everlasting glory. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ;" but I am ashamed of those who abuse the gospel to any purpose contrary to its legitimate design, as the power of God to salva tion. The only apology, Mr. Editor, I can make for this long letter, is the importance of the subject; and I feel zealous for the honour of Him whose decrees are composed, regulated, and brought to conclusion, according to the reign of grace, and the rights of justice. I am, sir, your obedient servant, S. COZENS. 12, Queen-street, Camden Town. A child of twelve years old being asked, whether she thought saints were more glorious in heaven than the angels, answered, "Yes: because (said she) the angels are servants, but the saints are sons."-TOPLADY. IT is half-past twelve, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1857. I am packed in tight in one corner of a SouthEastern,-a long train, and a rare load of human beings, hoping to be conveyed safely to the salt-washed shores of Ramsgate this afternoon; and where, if the Lord will throw round me his protecting arms, and indulge me with his holy unction, I hope, for the first time in my life, this evening to speak well of my Master and his work; and then I must return home again to-morrow morning, as seaside loungings do not fall to my lot; but our kind Christian brother Perry (of whom all the ministers speak in the highest terms) has kindly invited me to preach, and having promised so to do, I will hope the Lord will give us his blessing. As I sat down in this pent-up corner the words came into my mind," These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." words, but I have had them preached into me and in the evening, both in the pulpit and at |