unquestionable evidences of the divine blessing on his labours; but the developements of the last day will doubtless prove that the good instrumentally effected by him, both at home and abroad, was far greater than he was able to conceive.

The venerable and truly excellent tutor of the Wisbeach Academy, having been unfitted by severe illness for the discharge of his important services, it was agreed by the Association in 1838, to merge the Educational Society in the Academy, and to appoint Mr. Stevenson to become the tutor of the United Institute. The ministerial success of those whom he had already instructed, and their proficiency in learning, appeared to justify the appointment.

In this situation he seemed as if he had realized every object on which he had set his heart. He had given his family a liberal education. Three of his sons were in the ministry, and each of them successful in his sphere; two sons were in respectable lines of business, and two others were in a course of training, one for the medical profession, and one for that of the law; and he himself in an office in which he hoped he might do extensive good. But as there are day-dreams of future greatness which though often fallacious give energy to hope, and cheer the weary pilgrim in his rugged path, may there not also be presentiments of coming events of distress, prophetic warnings to prepare for the hour of trial? It is certain that the subject of this memoir, when conversing with his son, spoke to the following effect. "While I am filled with gratitude for the prosperity with which I have been favoured, I am impressed with a sort of awe, as though I was walking on the verge of a precipice. I have accomplished all I wished to accomplish; but I feel as if the extent of my success was a reason for fear." "Coming events cast their shadows before." A few of the subsequent occurrences connected with his family were of the most distressing character. We need not detail them. It is quite sufficient to say, that dark clouds rolled over his head; that the tenderest chords of sensibility were touched; that he became an object of deep sympathy to his numerous friends; and that the hardest heart could not but feel at the sight of so much worth in such deep distress. Referring to one of these trying scenes in a letter addressed to a friend, he said, "The severity of this affliction has far exceeded my power of description, and even the conception I could have previously formed. It has indeed, my dear brother, been an east wind, a rough wind, and even an awful tempest to my poor soul. I have been under the most fearful apprehensions that I shall lose my reason. When my dear boys come, their united condolence in some degree revives me. I wish to be sincerely thankful for that gracious support with which I have been favoured. But O, my brother, I cannot but fear that the wound inflicted by this stroke will never be healed in this world. Whether it be or not, my ardent prayer is, that it may be sanctified." He certainly recovered in a good degree from this shock; but having with his debilitated frame to discharge the double duty of pastor and tutor, his constitution gradually gave way. was occasionally laid entirely aside. On his recovery from these relapses his ministry became still more serious, spiritual, and monitory; and he appeared to address his congregation as from the borders of the eternal world. A judicious hearer has assured the writer, that every word seemed to be big with meaning, and fraught with unction; and that some of his appeals to sinners produced the most thrilling and awful effect. He often told his friends that he should not be long with them; but as they felt the increased

He

power of his ministry they thought he spoke from nervous fearfulness, and that his valuable life would yet be prolonged for several years. In the autumn of 1840 he occupied the pulpit of his venerable friend the Rev. W. Pickering, of Nottingham; and the following statement, received from this beloved and aged minister, is in perfect accordance with the account just given of the holy state of his mind. "He sat with me in the afternoon, and his conversation was spiritual and heavenly. The sermons he preached morning and evening were considered by all that heard them as very remarkable for holy fervour, peculiar spirituality, and heavenly unction. Indeed, for several years, when I have had the opportunity to sit with him half an hour, it was his element to dwell upon the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, and to enter into the very soul of experimental religion. It has constituted the honey and marrow of his felicity. Far from speculation and dry criticism, he has seemed to taste and see the goodness of the Lord, and to realize the blessedness of the man that trusteth in him." About three months after his visit to Nottingham, he sent the following letter to his estimable friend. It evinces the spirituality of his mind, his deep humility, the affection of his heart, and his anxious desire still to advance in piety, and extend his usefulness.

"My very dear brother,

I feel that my first attempt to use the pen after a long and severe affliction, is due to that beloved brother who thought of, and sympathized with me in the deepest and most dreary scene of my time. Your letter, my dear brother-a letter, I had almost said, excessive in christian candour, and certainly overflowing with brotherly kindness and affection, found me in a state from which I had little or no expectation of recovering. Its effects upon me I cannot describe! As it was read to me by my dear Charles, I literally and copiously watered my couch with my tears! Never did my feeble efforts in the Redeemer's cause appear to me so poor and so worthless!! Ah, my dear brother, standing on the brink of the grave, as I believed myself to do, none but Jesus could then sustain my mind; nothing but the blood that cleanseth from all sin. I trust I can truly say, that if I had a desire to live a little longer, it was for nothing so much as to give my heart and life more entirely to Him who died for me. If, my dear brother, you could spare half an hour to write another line to one so unworthy your time and labour, and I might presume to suggest a subject, let it consist in some directions how I may accomplish my heart's desire, in living nearer to God, and bringing more glory to his name!"

He persisted in his strenuous labours even while his constitution continued to give way. The sense of responsibility pressed heavily upon him. Speaking about this time to one who had been a student with him, he said, "I had peculiar sensations last Lord's-day morning. I had been given to understand that I should not be able to preach again; and I felt a solemn awe on my spirit as I reflected that I was going to the chapel for the last time, and about to deliver my last message." After this he made fresh attempts; but when he put forth the very last, it was obvious to his mourning friends, from the feebleness of his tone, and his general manner, that his work was done.

(To be concluded in our next.)

THE CONNEXION AND THE TIMES.-No. I.

"And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment."

A strange,

THE characteristic of the age in which we live is movement. and we might almost say preternatural energy, a never-ceasing restlessness

and excitement, appear on every hand in the social economy, as though the world were hastening to some great crisis of its history. Not merely in heathen and half-civilised nations is there a stirring amongst the dry bones, but especially in our own beloved land, throughout the various classes of society, in political circles, and amongst the professors of religion, the elements of good and evil have awakened to a new activity, and the troubled waves betoken the conflict and the storm. Christians, and christian societies must enter into the spirit of the times, or they are not fit for their generation-work; if not prepared to advance they cannot keep their ground, and must be contented to retire to a willingly-conceded obscurity. The times call for exertion: and every right-minded man who has understanding of the times; every religious society that has truth in its possession, or power to guide to its attainment, will be anxious not merely to act, but to act wisely, promptly, perseveringly-not as uncertainly, not as beating the air, but as "knowing what Israel ought to do.

The forms of evil come forth from their wonted hiding-places invigorated with new life, and stand boldly and insultingly before the gaze of men. False doctrine and false worship are importunate to make proselytes; and the shout of exultation in the camp of the apostates would seem to indicate that some of the mighty are fallen. A sullen and reckless infidelity, muttering deep and bitter curses against the peace of society, spreads around us. The love of pleasure; lust of gain; indifference in professors; apathy in the Churches; worldly encroachment; satanic assault; the zeal of enemies; and the heartlessness of friends, send forth a cry-a cry which might awaken the slumbering, and should animate the faithful.

Is it true that wickedness in its worst forms abounds to a fearful extent; that our youth grow up with knowledge, but not the knowledge that sanctifies; that on every hand a pernicious leaven is at work, throwing off old restraints, manifesting utter contempt for authorities, and hatred of whatever comes to staunch the outbursts of impurity, and to renew the soul in holiness? Is it true that amongst the fostered and favoured sons of the state church there is preached by a large and increasing majority a doctrine which goes to the complete annihilation of personal and spiritual religion; a false doctrine, which lulls the soul in carnal security, and performs vicariously every office in its high relationship to God and eternity? Is it true that the pope has in this land a body of ministers, or missionaries, nearly six times the number of our pastors, who as to zeal, ability, address, and unwearied exertion, yield in the comparison with none?

We would not needlessly offend. We love not that sort of friendship which displays itself only in depreciating whatever belongs to our own party; but we fear that it is too nearly correct, that the General Baptists, as a body, are behind the wants of the age. Too contented with the confined limits of the Connexion, we have been comparing ourselves with ourselves, and measuring ourselves by ourselves, which is not wise. Let the connexion henceforth arise to meet the times. It is not enough, like slumbering predestinarians to fold the hands in contented activity, and say, "Truth is great, and will prevail." We must feel that it can only prevail by suitable instrumentality; by means, and not by miracles; in the exertions of the receivers of the truth, and not apart from those exertions. And bearing in mind that this prevalence will be proportioned to the excellence and adaptation of the instrumentality itself, and the skill with which it is employed, let us from this time arouse our utmost energies, and devote the

whole more unreservedly than ever to the one great object for which we are saved.

In the renewed conflict between the principles of popery and the principles of the reformation, which now seems inevitable, let us show ourselves in every respect ready for the encounter; in knowledge, in zeal, in steadfastness, in union, in skill, in love to God and the souls of men. Of all defenders of the faith once delivered to the saints, the Baptist has the vantage ground in conflict with the man of sin. Furnished with weapons from the armoury of God's Word, he has no necessity in defence of his own position, or in making good his assault upon the adversary, to have recourse in any one instance to the help of human tradition, or mere expediency. The grand principle that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is the religion of Protestants, is the ground and standard of his faith and practice; and whilst he carries out this simple and sufficient rule in his own case, he can scarcely avoid a pitying tear, when he sees so-called Protestants, who should stand firm on the rock, and well shielded behind the rampart of truth, bowing down to some learned father, or craving assistance from some vague tradition, if possible, with the frail materials they may supply, to under-pin the sinking structure of his faith. If, however, we have no cause to blush for our weapons, let us be careful that truth has no occasion to be ashamed of her defenders; for nothing can be more evident, than that in proportion to our means will be our responsibility; and weighty indeed will be that responsibility, if, conceiving ourselves pre-eminently to possess the implements of divine working, we yet are contented to have done little more than fence round and secure the ground which our fathers won from the waste. Brethren, let us think on these things, and inquire, What Israel ought to do?

Whatever may have been the causes which have limited the Connexion in time past, and into which it is not the purpose of this paper to enter, it is evident that in order to meet the requirements of the times, our chief aim should be rather to make existing agencies more effective, than to enter upon new and untried schemes; and it will be found, that wherever plans and arrangements, already known in almost every Church, are vigorously acted upon; wherever, under the superintendence of an intelligent and energetic pastor, there is an active co-operation of all the people to one end, re-animation, enlargement, and spiritual prosperity invariably ensue. It is pre-eminently a personal matter; and the more exclusively it is viewed as such, the more likely are we to see at once the blessed and beneficial results. The Connexion consisting of individual Churches, its efficiency, and power of aggression on the world, must mainly depend upon the spiritual state of those Churches; and these, again, will be prosperous and useful, only as the elements of which they are composed possess much of a hightoned and vigorous piety. Let every one put the question, What ought I to do? Let not pastors blame people, nor what is more frequent still, people blame pastors. Let not Churches blame circumstances, nor be contented in their harness; but let all, members, deacons, pastors, churches, conferences, one and all awake, and from this month go forth to one earnest, simple, united, prayerful, determined effort, to do our Saviour's final bidding. As individual members, the first thing we ought to do is to see the necessity of a deeper and more pervading work of God on the heart. The observation is undoubtedly correct, that "knowledge is power;" with still more truth, where the everlasting well-being of souls, and the glory of God are concerned, may we say, "piety is power." Without it, profession is Vol. 4.-N. S.

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weakness. Apart from the strong pervading spirit of devotedness and love to God, what am I as a Church member, as a Sunday-school teacher, as a deacon, as a minister? Without heartfelt and influential love to Christ, what am I in the prayer-meeting, what in the Church, what in society, what in any spiritual respect ?-shall we say ciphers?-far, far worse. Who are they that make worldlings contented in their indifference, but indifferent christians ? Who lull their souls in carnal security, but carnal and sluggish professors ? "What do ye more than others ?" is the opiate-draught that affords them a delusive hope, or rather, a deceitful repose in self-security and sin. When a minister, and perchance some of his people, are mourning that the cause of God and of truth languishes, and is ready to die; and when they, anxiously desiring to see fruit to the glory of God, would fain adopt some measures to re-animate the dying embers, that the flame of zeal may burst forth afresh, who are they that thwart and obstruct, and are the mill-stone round the neck of exertion? The men of the world? the half-serious attendants in the congregation? No! the men of low piety, or no piety, in the Church. Their apathy, and coldness, and caution, and their's alone, paralyze effort, aud prevent expansion. Let each look into his own heart, and see if something is not there to correct; let us all look again to the cross, and feel the infinitude of obligation under which we are laid to redeeming love; let us look abroad to those around-brethren, sisters, domestics, neighbours, towns-people, fellow-country men, the world at large-be impressed with their danger and their necessities, and become ceaselessly active for their good. It is not merely that every soul thus reconverted is an active instead of an apathetic member of the body, but he has an influential as well as personal power; not merely has he the courage and prowess of the good soldier himself, but his tongue, his look, his life, put vigour into the blanched countenance and quailing heart of the man at his side. Every devoted soul becomes a centre of most beneficial influence around. The spirit of love, and of consecration in the glorious cause of our Redeemer, has a happy contagiousness; and in the improved tone and spirit generally, we at once behold the evidence and the recompence of enlarged individual piety.

The times call for knowledge as well as for eminent piety. Every believer must be ready to render a reason for the hope that is in him; to say what he believes, and why he believes it. A sifting and searching scepticism pervades the public mind; and ignorance, if ever she was the mother of devotion, will be ill able in our day to protect her devotees from the hateful glare of that eye. Ipse dixit, except as applied to God himself, is becoming obsolete. Names, the names of pious and excellent men, never ought to have given the passport to error; they will now no longer be taken as guarantees of truth. Let us be careful, therefore, lest as a Connexion we come behind in regard to the depth, or the reasons, or the extent of our knowledge. Let ministers, influential members, teachers of every grade, lay broad and deep the foundations, and look well to the proportions and jointing of the superstructure they rear. The evidences of divine revelation, the complete inspiration, and consequent infallibility of the Word; that it is the standard of faith, and final appeal in all controversies; the duty as well as right of every man to search it for himself; that all parts of this Word, and all its statements, are unhesitatingly to be received. The depravity of man, the atonement of Christ, justification by faith, divine influence, man's responsibility; all these, and other fundamental doctrines, should