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CORRESPONDENCE.

the ministers ejected from the Establishment for Nonconformity, by the Bartholomew Act. A small endowment left by this sufferer for conscience' sake has been the means of perpetuating the preaching of the gospel in this retired spot, and though the Christian society there has experienced many vicissitudes, yet it still exists, nor is it destitute of tokens of the divine favour. Other churches, too, have arisen in the neighbourhood, whose origin must be traced to the little cause at Ryeford, which has shared largely in the respect of ministers and Christians around.

The writer remembers many pleasant Sabbaths which he passed there, either in friendly exchanges of services, or when rendering aid to his afflicted friend and brother, after the progress of disease had incapacitated him for all public duties.

portion of personal and relative affliction, he pursued his course; nor did he retire from the work in which he faithfully laboured, and the people whom he sincerely loved, until the visitation of Providence incapacitated him for farther effort. Paralysis of the brain terminated his exertions as a minister, and caused a gradual declension in his strength, until he entered on his eternal rest.

ministerial charge, Mr. Williams resided in
For a short time, after resigning his
Cheltenham, from which place he removed
had long known, he died. His mind, during
to Coleford, where, amongst friends whom he
the latter part of his life, was almost uni-
formly tranquil.
occasion inquired after his health, he re-
To a friend, who on one
plied,

"There's a house not made with hands,
Eternal and on high;

And here my spirit waiting stands,
Till God shall bid it fly.'

No painful conflict agitated his last mo-
"He knew in whom he had believed."
ments. He was quite aware when the hand
of death was upon him, and he was pre-
pared for the blow of the last enemy.
died on the 18th of June, 1857.
the perfect man, and behold the upright;
He
"Mark
for the end of that man is peace."

The life of a minister in a situation so secluded, was not likely to afford much variety of incident, and the materials for a memoir of Mr. Williams are very brief. The testimony given of Hananiah was applicable to him: "He was a faithful man, and feared God above many." He possessed mental powers of no mean description. As a preacher he was sound in doctrine and serious in manner, uttering the great truths of the gospel as one who had felt their power, and was thoroughly in earnest in endeavouring to impress them on would have permitted him to occupy a large If the state of Mr. Williams's health the minds of others. He was not accus- sphere, he possessed qualifications which tomed to give to his hearers that which must have secured for him more attention cost him nothing; but close and continued from the denomination to which he bestudy preceded his appearance in the pul- longed. But from early life he was an pit. "He was a workman that needed not invalid. For months together he was unto be ashamed." As a pastor he was diligent able to enter the pulpit, and once at least in visiting his flock, so far as his own health he tendered his resignation to his flock, in and their scattered situation would admit, consequence of continued and severe indisand their welfare was always an important position. They were, however, unwilling object with him. In the neighbourhood to receive it. Efforts, too, were made to inin which he lived he was greatly respected, duce him to remove to other situations, and although his sentiments were not much but he resolved to continue where Proviunderstood nor appreciated by most dence at first placed him. How far he was around, those who felt no interest in him wise in this determination it is not for as a Dissenting minister were ready to others to say. He believed that he was acknowledge that he was an upright and right, and this conviction sustained him to truly good man. He was firm in his ad- the end. Those who knew him best, cherish herence to principle, and thoroughly trans- no doubt that he has received the approval parent and unambiguous in all his actions; of his 'great Master, and heard from him nor did anything excite in him stronger the cheering sentence, "Well done, good feelings of disgust and indignation than and faithful servant; thou hast been faithmanœuvre or equivocation in persons who ful over a few things, I will make thee ruler sought his acquaintance or friendship. over many things; enter thou into the joy Through forty years spent in seclusion, of thy Lord." narrow circumstances, and amidst no small

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C.

the influence of enthusiastic feeling when
the apostles and first Christians were under
they adopted the community of goods?

If

the apostles erred in this matter, to whom remembered his teachings and acted upon are we to look for guidance and direction? them with the sanction and concurrence of Instead of saying that they gave the autho- the apostles. To say that the apostles erred rity of their example to an impracticable in this, is to treat the oracles of truth and plan of Church government, I should Christianity with disrespect. The case of rather ascribe the failure of the attempt to Ananias and Sapphira proves how fundathe avaricious and covetous desires of the mental to the Christian Church the comhuman heart. Throughout the New Tes-munity of goods was held to be. tament the most tender regard is displayed Geographically and politically, Europe toward the poor and needy; "the love of and America are inhabited by Christians. money is the root of all evil," "covetous- But do not the lives of the people refute ness is idolatry." Christians are taught to their professions? Christianity has love put the most entire reliance for the supply-equal love of neighbour with oneselfof their daily necessities in God, without for its central law. Is not selfishness the whom not a sparrow falls to the ground. central and fundamental law of modern Together with this sympathy for the poor, Christian (?) society. "Each man for himcontempt of wealth, and faith in God, there self;" "Buy cheap, sell dear;" "Tricks in was to be the most perfect mutual love all trades," are the mottoes and proverbs of among all the members. Was not the Christendom. "It is more blessed to give establishment of Christian Socialism the than to receive," "Look not every man at carrying out of these principles ? his own things," "Give to him that hath need," are the mottoes and proverbs of Christianity. To give up houses and land for Christ is calmly set down as impossible. To love one another, as God in Christ has loved us, is denounced as impracticable. Christians now-a-days come short even of the example of Ananias and Sapphira. Instead of giving all, save a little which they keep back for themselves, they keep back all and only spare a part of the price for God.

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That the community of goods was gradually abandoned there can be no doubt. But so were many other institutions of undoubted divine origin. For centuries the Bible was sealed book, and practices of a heathenish character usurped the place of the duties of Christianity. But the "Baptist Magazine should not pronounce Christian Socialism impracticable, because, like Christianity itself, it fell into disuse through human perversity and corruption. It, of course, like all that is peculiar to Christianity, is foolishness to the wise men of this world. The greedy, selfish, money-loving people of England and America reject and despise a religion which forbids us to lay up treasures on earth," and declares that "a camel can more easily go through a needle's eye than a rich man enter the kingdom of God." Yet these words cannot be blotted out from the page of Scripture, however much they may be frittered away. When the command is read, "Go, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor," men still go away disobedient to it, or exclaim in wonder and derision, "Who, then, can be saved ?" What wonder that the rich should conspire and plot His destruction, and that the poor should hear Him gladly when He taught such truths as these. But it is wonderful that those who receive him should remain blind to his teaching in this respect.

Whilst there is so much in the personal ministry of Jesus which countenances the idea and practice of community of goods, is it not very probable that its adoption by the Church of Jerusalem had warrant from some unrecorded words remembered by the disciples and acted upon by them, though not written in the gospels? The first Christians adopted this practice, so far as we can see, without question or doubt. They needed no special command. They had seen the example of our Lord, they

That God may raise up a man who would carry out the principles of Christian Socialism, preach the gospel of Jesus to the poor, and bring the outcasts of society within the pale of the Church, is the prayer of one who is himself

AN OUTCAST OF SOCIETY.

EFFECTIVE PREACHING. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-Our attention has lately been directed in various ways to the ministry of the gospel, its power and efficiency. I do not wish to raise a controversy, but to submit one or two questions for the solemn consideration of ministers and people.

"If anything may fairly be expected to be the power of God unto salvation, it must assuredly be the truth of God, and the truth as it is in Jesus. In whatever measure this may be unfaithfully or defectively preached, it is but reasonable to expect deficiency of power; and where its vital element is wholly wanting, it is absurd to look for any power at all." So says Mr. Hinton. Baptist Magazine, page 402.

If, as a body, the Particular Baptists have any standard of doctrine, I suppose it is the confession of faith adopted in 1689, which declares, " They who are elected are redeemed in Christ neither are any other." The angel announced the birth

of the Saviour, Christ the Lord, as good tidings of great joy to all people, Luke ii. 10; but according to the Assembly of Divines there is no redemption in Christ Jesus for any but the elect; and since it is not possible for any man whilst in his sins to know that he is of the elect, it seems that it would be unwarranted and presumptuous in him to trust in the death of Christ for salvation. Where is the foundation of a sinner's hope unless he can be assured that Christ died for him personally and individually? and where is the attraction of the cross?

It will probably be said, that though we bear the name of Particular Baptists, and are supposed to be distinguished by our creed from the General Baptists, yet these hyper-Calvinistic sentiments are much modified, if not entirely abandoned, by many of our ministers and people. I rejoice to know that it is so but I submit whether, in the measure in which they prevail, they must not necessarily hinder the progress of the gospel.

Mr. Fuller contended for the necessity of an almighty and invincible power to renew the heart. Now it is evident that this power does not operate upon all, and that no man can know that it is operating upon him before he is converted. What, then, must be the message of the gospel minister to the sinner upon this principle? Is it not this: "My fellow-sinner, God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoso ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' 'God was in Christ

God

reconciling the world unto himself. Now
then we are ambassadors for Christ; as
though God did beseech you by us, we pray
you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled
to God.' But as soon might
change the holiness of his nature, as a
sinful man become holy without the opera-
tion of an almighty and invincible power.
That power has graciously been applied to
your neighbour's heart, has turned him
from darkness to light, and made him a new
creature in Christ Jesus; but its application
is limited by the sovereignty of God to a
certain number of certain persons, and all
others are left to perish in unbelief, with-
out help or hope: whether you are of this
happy number God has not revealed, and no
man can tell."

Is this the glorious gospel of the blessed God, the message of God's love to his sinful creatures, to subdue the enmity of their hearts by the paternal tenderness of his own?

A BAPTIST DEACON.

[With the views advocated in the foreappealed to in the first fail to prove the going letters we cannot agree. The passages writer's position, and he entirely overlooks the fact that the experiment tried at Jerusalem was never repeated in any of the Apostolic Churches. The esteemed writer of the second unconsciously does injustice to the doctrines held by Andrew Fuller and those who follow him. We deem it right, however, to give them insertion.-ED.]

Editorial Postscript.

THE trustees have much pleasure in announcing that, notwithstanding the expenses incurred by recent endeavours to improve the circulation of the Magazine, they have been enabled, during the past month, to distribute £80 in the following classes, viz.

£3 each to E. A., E. G., E. G., J. J., M. P., M. J. W., A. G., C. W., M. E., C. F., M. H., E. W.

£2 to E. B., C. F., A. H., J. M., E. N., A. N., P. T., M. T., S. W., E. Y., J. C., J. F., A. H., M. W.

£1 to C. B., A. D., B. H., M. U., E. J., E. B., E. C., E. J. E., H. E., J. G., J. G., N. H., P. K., I. M., A. P., J. T.

The proprietors regret that they were not able to renew a small grant to all who were assisted last year, or to take on a single new case.

Twickenham.

JAMES HOBY, Secretary.

Contributions in aid of the foregoing grants have been received from Mrs. Jackson, by Rev. Thomas Taylor, £5; Collection at Bromsgrove, £1; Stamps, 5s, and 2s. 6d; J. Harrison, Esq., £1.;

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THE ANNIVERSARIES.

THROUGH the goodness of God, the arrangements published in the last Herald have been carried through without any lapse or interruption. The attendance at the various assemblages was above the usual average, and at all of them there was enjoyed the spirit of harmony and devotion. It will be unnecessary to give in detail the particulars of the meetings; these have fully appeared in the usual weekly channels of information. The subscribers' meeting was one of unusual interest and importance. The action of the Committee, with respect to the question of a deputation to Jamaica, was fully approved, and they were authorised to incur the expense should such a deputation be deemed necessary. The following resolution was proposed by the Dr. Acworth, the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, and the Rev. James Smith, and was both unanimously and warmly adopted by the assembled brethren. We trust that, in the coming year, its suggestions will not be suffered to remain a dead letter, but that it will usher in a united effort, throughout the denomination, to extend the mission in the eastern possessions of the British crown.

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"That this meeting has heard the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee, in regard to the India Mission, with sincere satisfaction, and would express a very earnest hope that the Committee for the ensuing year will make a most vigorous effort to re-erect the destroyed mission-houses, chapels, and school-houses, and strengthen the Mission in the North-west Provinces, and to augment the Society's Mission in India. And with this view would earnestly entreat the pastors and churches throughout the country to promote the revival and formation of auxiliaries, the increase of subscriptions, and the adoption of measures by which every congregation, whether in towns or villages, may have the opportunity of contributing to this great work.”

We regret that no report exists of the excellent speeches made in support of this important resolution.

In former years it has been usual to reprint in the Herald the report of the Annual Meeting at Exeter Hall. The wide circulation of The Freeman and other religious papers, seems to render this course to some extent unnecessary. We propose, therefore, only to present to our readers a few of the more important passages.

INDIA: ITS GOVERNMENT AND

CHRISTIANITY.

I will leave the question of India and all concerning it to-day in the hands of those whom you will hear who have been personally associated with labourers there, and whose instrumentality God has largely blessed in the extension of his kingdom in that interesting country. But it is due from me to-day, that I should especially refer to the fact that we have suffered in the person of our dear brother, Mr. Mackay, and of a dear Christian brother, Walayat Ali. At any rate the family of Mr. Mackay, assuredly should feel that his name is borne in grateful remembrance by the denomination, to which he was attached, and I believe by the whole Christian community. Dear

Christian friends, what has occurred in India must have a deep and pervading influence upon the future conduct of that country. If we read anything in the history of past events there, we see that God has signally made known that that prophecy and promise both in one, "Them that honour me, I will honour," is specially made to be felt at the present moment as the indelible mark of all that has occurred in India. We see in connection with the Government there in the earliest stages of our mission that missionary exertion was prevented. We have seen, down to the present moment, that the idolatrous prejudices of the natives have been cherished. We have abundant means of showing that Christianity has not only been negatived and discouraged, but as far as possible absolutely

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