choice, and intends never to part with them. So, I say, if you are born of God, you will give diligence to make that kind of vital experimental choice of the truth that you shall part with it no more for ever. You know when people marry it is until death do them part; but Jehovah's choice of you will never die, nor will a right choice of him ever die. however, it pleased the Lord to restrain him from any attempts upon his own life until he arrived here. But shortly after his arrival, upon the Lord's-day, early in the morning, (being in bed with his brother), he took a knife prepared for that purpose, and cut his own throat, and withal leaped out of the bed; and though the wound was deep and large, yet, thinking it might not soon enough dispatch his wretched life, desperately thrust it into his stomach, and so lay wallowing in his own blood, till his brother, awaking, made a cry for help. Hereupon a physician and a surgeon coming in, found the wound in his throat mortal; and all they could do at present was to stitch it, and apply a plaister, with design rather to enable him to speak for a little while, than with any expectation of a cure; for before that he breathed through the wound, and his voice was inarticulate. Now, this truth must be chosen where it hath chosen you, namely, in Christ Jesus. If you choose it merely as a doctrine apart from the Saviour, you do not choose it rightly. Those, therefore, who profess to hold it, and preach it boldly in one part of their sermon, and make light of it in another part of the sermon, just demonstrate their ignorance of its real value; for, while they profess to hold the truth of eternal election, and preach it merely because it is found in the letter of the word, yet such men are evidently more at home in something much more of a creature kind; and "In this condition I found him that morntherefore go off to their oxen and lash and ing; and apprehending him to be within a goad them along in creature effort; or they few minutes of eternity, I labored to work are off to a formality farm and going to do a upon his heart the sense of his condition; wonderful deal for God; or they are off to a telling him I had but little time to do anywedding, marrying high and low doctrine thing for him, and therefore desired him to churches. These weddings are in our day let me know what his own apprehensions of very numerous, showing that election has not his present condition were. He told me he only its determined foes, but also its hypocrit- hoped in God for eternal life. I replied, that ical friends. But, O thou that art named the I feared his hopes were ungrounded; for that house of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord the Scripture tells us, No murderer hath straitened? Are these his doings? Do not eternal life abiding in him;' but this was his words, without human device, do good to self-murder, the grossest of all murders; and him that walketh uprightly. insisting upon the aggravation and heniousTherefore, my good Theophilus, if your re-ness of the fact, I perceived his vain confiligion be right in this reconciliation department, you will earnestly, and honestly, and boldly, and consistently, and throughout all the departments of truth, glory in electing grace. But the remaining parts of this reconciliation, and of the inextinguishable love of Christ in the true Christian, I must leave until next month. I say but little at a time, as I am but A A LITTLE ONE. MARVELLOUS CONVERSION OF SELF-MURDERER. FROM John Flavell's old work, entitled "Divine Conduct: or, the Mystery of Providence," we extract the following striking instance of the amazing efficacy of Divine grace in the real conversion of a poor sinner, who was as we may say-all but driven headlong into perdition. Flavell's records of God's various methods of bringing sinners unto Christ, are simple, but wonderfully expressive of Divine Sovereignty. Among them the following oc curs: "In the year 1673, there came in this port a ship of Poole, in her return from Virginia; in which ship was one of that place-a lusty young man of twenty-three years of age, who was surgeon in the ship. This person, in the voyage, fell into a deep melancholy, which the devil greatly improved to serve his own design for the ruin of this poor man; dence began to fall, and some meltings of heart appeared in him. He then began to lament with many tears his sin and misery; and asked me, if there might yet be hope for one that had destroyed himself, and shed his own blood. I replied, the sin indeed is great, but not unpardonable; and if the Lord gave him repentance unto life, and faith to fly to Jesus Christ, it should be certainly given to him; and finding him unacquainted with these things, I opened to him the nature and necessity of faith and repentance, which he greedily sucked in, and with great vehemency cried to God, that he would work them upon his soul, and intreated me also to pray with him and for him, that it might be so. I prayed with him, and the Lord thawed his heart exceedingly in that duty. He was loth to part with me; but the duties of the day summed up what was most necessary in my necessitating me to leave him, I briefly parting counsel to him, and took my leave, never more expecting to see him in this world. But beyond my own and all men's expectation, he continued all that day, and panted most ardently after Jesus Christ. No and in this frame I found him in the evening. discourses pleased him but Christ and faith; He rejoiced greatly to see me again, and intreated me to continue my discourses upon these subjects; and after all, told me, 'Sir, the Lord hath given me repentance for this sin; yea, and for every other sin. I see the evil of sin now, so as I never saw it before. O, I loathe myself! I am a vile creature in my own eyes! I do also believe: “Lord, help my unbelief." I am heartily willing to take Christ upon his own terms. One thing only troubles me-I doubt this bloody sin will not be pardoned. Will Jesus Christ (said he) apply his blood to me, that have shed my own blood?' I told him, Christ shed his blood even for them that with wicked hands had shed the blood of Christ; and that was a sin of deeper guilt than his. "Well, (saith he), I will cast myself upon Christ, let him do by me what he will.' And so I parted with him that night. "Next morning the wounds were to be opened; and then, the opinion of the surgeons was, he would immediately_expire. Accordingly, at his desire, I came that morning, and found him in a most serious frame. I prayed with him, and then the wound in his stomach was opened; but by this time the ventricle itself was swollen out of the orifice of the wound, and lay like a livid discolored tripe upon his body, and was also cut through; so that all concluded it was impossible for him to live; however, they stitched the wound in the stomach, enlarged the orifice, and fomented it, and wrought it again into his body, and so stitching up the skin, left him to the disposal of Providence. "And so it was, that both the deep wound in his throat, and this in his stomach, healed; and the more dangerous wound sin had made upon his soul, was, I trust, effectually healed also. I spent many hours with him in that sickness; and after he returned home, received this account from Mr. Samuel Hardy, a minister in that town; part whereof I shall transcribe : "Dear Sir: I was much troubled at the sad Providence in your town; but did much rejoice that he fell into such hands for his body and soul. You have taken much pains with him, and I hope to good purpose. I think, if ever a great and thorough work were done such a way, it is now; and if ever the like, I am persuaded now it is. Never grow weary of such good works. One such instance is (methinks) enough to make you to abound in the work of the Lord all your days, &c. "O, how unsearchable are the ways of Providence in leading men to Christ! Let none be encouraged by this to sin, that grace may abound. These are rare and singular instances of the mercy of God, and such as no presumptuous sinner can expect to find. It is only recited here, to the honour of Providence, which works for the recovery of sinners in ways that we understand not. what a fetch hath Providence beyond our understandings!" THE FULNESS OF JESUS. 0 "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col. ii. 3. CHRISTIAN, let this one thought, that God beholds Enough for earth, enough for glory too. obedient To his nod, but waits the approach of his dear Hold, bless'd Lord! O stay thine hand! thy liberal bounties doubt He also saith, "I'd hear thy Voice," which, though it sounds in naught but Griefs, is, in thine Husband's ear, sweeter than bitter Than ten thousand songs, by adoring seraphs Harps which seraphims e'er played; yea, sweeter WHEN the last sigh that heralds death, To leave its sins, its fears, and pain, The ransom'd spirit that has flown Kettering. J. P. OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES; OUR ANNIVERSARIES, ETC., ETC. As regards the condition of many of our | tance, soul bondage, continual dread of damchurches, in the rural districts, the Lord has been better to us and to them, than our gloomy fears had anticipated. We had feared that the war-the high price of provisions, and the unusually hard winter through which we have passed, would have very sorely distressed our churches. During the last four months, we have personally visited, and laboured among a great number of them in different portions of the home counties, and, for the most part, they have been greatly helped. Death has been exceeding busy in the churches and congregations, emigration too, has removed thousands and poverty has sharply tried the agricultural communities. Nevertheless, the truth has been maintained; the churches have enjoyed some peace, and a small measure of prosperity has here and there been realized. The Lord be praised. We proceed to furnish a few items.ED. : nation for three years and a half; then his glorious deliverance from such a state, together with the help of his Master, made him not ashamed of the cross of Christ:-he always aimed as much as possible to lay the sinner in the dust, and extol the merits of Jesus, the friend of sinners. He was a man that travelled through the very depths of poverty and bodily affliction; was often driven to his wit's end for want of the common necessaries of life; suffering hunger to the extreme. He was the subject of a disease, which a physician told him would not let him live more than five years; but he lived many years after this; no disease could kill him until he had done the work God assigned him. Before he came to Berkhampstead common, he had his goods taken from him and sold; and had no bed to lie on his children lay dead in the house, and he could not bury them for want of money. I have heard him say he has had nothing to eat for SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT three days together; he has gone forth and BERKHAMPSTEAD, AND OF THE GREAT TRIALS AND USEFULNESS [Historical reminiscences like the following, are DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST, -I send you some account of the late Thomas Wood, minister of the gospel, and pastor of the church of Christ at Berkhampstead common, for twentyfour years. In the year 1830, about June, Thomas Wood, with Jane Wood, his wife, came on to Berkhampstead common, where he placed himself under a cherry-tree belonging to John Bedford, and commenced preaching the gospel; after which John Bedford lent him a shed to preach in. Thomas Wood and Jane Wood his wife, and John Bedford, then formed themselves into a church; and in this old shed several were baptized; and there a little band met to worship him who delivered them from so great a death. I have often heard the old members talk of the happy hours they spent there of the blessed soul visits they then enjoyed. For about five years, Thomas Wood and his little flock met in the above place; then they proposed buying some ground and building a chapel, which they did; and opened it in 1835. I believe Messrs. Foreman and Milner preached at the opening; and then for nineteen years Thomas Wood preached "Christ and him crucified" to poor sinners; then took his flight to the boundless realms of ineffable joy. Thomas Wood was a man of small talent for preaching; but he aimed at the glory of his Master. His strong convictions, bitter repen preached on a Sabbath morning, then gone into a saw-pit and read his bible for his dinner; and after preaching has had nothing to eat, only as he gathered blackberries off the hedge. I have heard him say he has preached three times on a Sabbath, having nothing to eat; and when he has reached home at night, an empty cupboard, save two or three raw onions, of which at one time he made his evening meal and went to bed. At this time I believe he went from place to place preaching Christ and his cross in the open air, 66 telling to sinners around What a dear Saviour he had found." But amidst all his poverty, he was a man distinguished for his honesty. He was the instrument of forming two churches, beside the one at Berkhampstead common. He met with much persecution, but none of these things moved him. When speaking of the worth of Christ to his soul, an holy emotion filled his heart, and caused tears of joy to flow. The name of a glorious Redeemer was his theme! His everlasting love he delighted to dwell upon! The final perseverance of all the followers of the Lamb, and the distinguishing grace by which they were saved, always had a prominent place in his discourses. He was a man of God; and was not ashamed of his Master. On one occasion, he was called to a certain gentleman's house to clean a clock, where he had to stay that night; and after he had his supper, he said to one of the servants, "Can I engage in prayer before I go to bed?" The servant said, "No: on no account: if they allowed that, their master would turn them all away." But he said, before he went to bed, he knelt down, and wept aloud; and that prayer was the means of convincing the butler of his state as a sinner: "Him that honoureth me, him will my Father honour." At another time, I heard him say, one of his children lay dead, and he could not bury it; he did not know what to do, but thought he could borrow some money of a person who pretended to be his friend, and was in easy circumstances: he went, and was denied: "He that seeth his brother in need, having this world's goods, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" I think in a suspicious way, after he left the door of the (so called) gentleman's house, an inward suggestion seemed to say, "Go to an old miser that lives at yonder house." Away went the poor distressed man to the miser's house, and said, "Sir, my child is dead, and I have no money to bury it. Will you lend me two pounds?" The miser directly fetched the money. When Thomas Wood began to tell him when he would pay him, the old man said, Pay me when you can." And with that he left him. A short time after this, a gentleman put a watch into his possession for a mere trifle: he hung the watch up for sale; and the man whom he first asked to lend him money, called in and asked the price of the watch: he told him the price; the man bought it there and then; paid him for it: and he said he cleared just enough by that watch to pay the miser; and went directly and paid him with that money. So, after all, the money came out of the first man's pocket. "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." I heard him say once he had the bed taken from him, and was in sad distress; and his wife and him agreed to pray for another; when they arose from their knees his wife said, "we shall have it." He said, "I know we shall." Directly a cart stopped at the door, and a man came up, and said, "Mr. Wood, I have brought you a bed." At another time, he had nothing to eat, but a few potatoes; his wife said she would cook them, and the Lord would send something by the time they were done. Just as the potatoes were done a knock came at the door, when a servant maid appeared and said, "Mr. Wood, my mistress had bought some steaks for dinner, but we have some company just come, and we shall not want them; mistress has sent them to you, if you will accept them." Thomas Wood and his family sat down to their meal, while he and his beloved companion blessed and praised the name of their Lord who provided for them in such a conspicuous way. He was a humble follower of the Lamb; his manner of preaching was not attractive, therefore, he had not a large congregation, but a few established christians accompanied him, believing him to be a sincere, honest, preacher of the gospel, preaching with the ability God gave him. He was a man rather singular in one respect, as he did not care to be acquainted with hardly any other minister, perhaps this might be for reasons best known to himself; too much company sometimes does us harm. he was a man that held communion with God; had great enjoyments; often spoke of the blessed soul visits he had from his God; showing by his preaching, without him, he could do nothing; and often telling his people, a little sincere hope was worth ten thousand worlds. His humble labours were owned by him who holds the winds in his fist, though set at nought by the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God. He baptised several people both in the old shed, and in the chapel now erected. I was the last he baptised. Oh, may a double portion of that fortitude he manifested for his Lord and Master rest on me. But, O how short I fall. During his last illness, he suffered much, but was patient, desiring to submit to all his Father's will. I went to see him a few days before he died. I spoke to him as well as I could, and said, "I suppose you are not afraid to meet death, and the grave?" He instantly began to say, Christ had taken the sting away for all his people; he had gone down into the grave; and had not only taken away the gloom of the grave, but had gone down into the grave, and perfumed it with love. So there was nothing to fear. I said, "I suppose you are desiring to take your flight to your mansion ?" He said, "I'm in no hurry, I want to wait my Father's will.” I thought, what a glorious sight! to see an old man in a nice clean bed, just about to breathe his last, expecting in a few days to close his eyes for ever on all things here below, about to leave his children and his people, and all behind, with death and the grave in his face. "A mortal paleness on his cheek, But glory in his soul." He called his sons around his bed, speaking to them, and praying for them. My imagination thought of good old Jacob calling his sons around him before he gathered his feet up into the bed. He One of his members went to see him, and said, "Are you happy, Mr. Wood?" said he thought nobody on earth was so happy as him. I have not said these things with an intention to make you believe he was a perfect man, as he well knew himself to the contrary, often describing the abominable workings of his corrupt nature, and abhorring himself in dust and ashes. I thought of him this evening, as I was walking across our common. When I saw the sun setting behind the western horizon, I looked upon it, and thought What a glorious sight! All around it looked calm, serene, and beautiful; not a cloud to be seen; and the golden rays of light that shone forth from it, put a cheerfulness on all creation. So those glorious rays of light that shine forth from a dying godly man, seem to reanimate and strengthen the faith of those that are left behind in this waste howling wilderness. Mr. Hanshew, of Watford, went to see him a few days before he died, and he told him he should like to have a table, a stool, and a candlestick, to accommodate the Lord's servants with. Mrs. Horne, one of his members, went to see him. She asked him if he felt on the Rock, and with joyful acclamations, said, "Yes! all glory to his precious name!" Another member said, "You are very ill!" He said, "Yes, but well in mind." A few days after this, he took his flight to those blissful regions, where sin, his worst | years have the church on Berkhampstead enemy, "Shall vex his eyes and ears no more;" after preaching the wonders of Immanuel on Berkhampstead Common 24 years. He died April 11th, 1854, in the 80th year of his age, and was buried by Mr. Hanshew, who spoke at his grave in a very solemn and affecting manner. The chapel and burying ground was crowded to excess. It was a day by many long to be remembered. The members met the corpse at Berkhampstead, which is two miles from the chapel, and followed him to the grave, as a token of respect Although they could not raise him but a very small allowance for preaching, I believe they did what they could, as they are a very poor people. We had supplies for a time, of whom Mr. Moores, the present minister, was one. The first time he came to preach, a few of us were impressed with the idea that he would be the man for Berkhampstead Common. It turned out thus; for soon after this, the people generally felt an attachment to him, and gave him a call for three months; after which they chose him to be settled over the church, and to take the pastoral office. The congregation has greatly increased, and things are going on tolerably well. May the presence of Him who dwelt in the bush be with him, bless his labours, and keep him in all his ways, and enable him in all things and at all times to aim at the glory of his Master, and help him to preach to the glory of his Master, and keep him from preaching to the praise and glory of himself. About the middle of his last illness, after a state of darkness of mind, those words of Dr. Watts were blessed to his soul "The Lord my Shepherd is, I shall be well supplied," &c. So much so, that he wished the congregation to sing them on his behalf, which they did on a Sunday afternoon, with much feeling and pleasure. Since Mr. Moores has come to the Common, three persons have been baptised; and we trust by so doing have said to the world, Farewell! "Ye glittering toys of earth, adieu! A nobler choice be mine !" Common enjoyed in peace that their forefathers were denied. May they enjoy many more anniversaries, and gird up the loins of their mind, and be sober, waiting for their Master's appearing, looking with stedfastness for the time when he shall come, with ten thousands of his saints, to fetch all his ransomed throng, even those that think upon his name. "Soon they will hear him say, To their eternal home." grace Thomas Wood was a preacher of Jesus the Lord, Nor trouble, nor sorrow, no more him await; With just men made perfect, and Joseph, and Paul, ORDINATION OF MR. E. THRING, AT HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS. THE public Recognition of Mr. Edward Thring, as Pastor of the Particular Baptist Church, meeting for public worship in the New Chapel, at Newland, High Wycombe, was solemnised on Monday, the 21st of May, 1855. In the morning, Mr. Robt. Aldis, of Somers' Town, read part of 1 Tim. iv., and offered up prayer; after which, Others are standing about the doors of Zion, marking her bulwarks, and counting her Mr. James Wells, of Surrey Tabernacle, towers, listening to the inmates of Zion, sing- delivered a short discourse on the nature, deing from within, "This God is our God, for sign, and constitution of a gospel church, takever and ever: he will be our Guide evening as a motto, Psalm cxxvii. unto death." May Abraham's God help them soon to shew, by a public profession, their attachment to King Jesus. On the 29th of May, 1855, we held our twentieth anniversary in the chapel. In the morning Mr. Bloomfield preached from the 27th Psalm-" In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavillion.” In the afternoon Mr. C. W. Banks preached from Psa. lxxi. 20, 21, to the rejoicing of many of the poor old pilgrims. In the evening Mr. B. preached from the words "Other foundation can no man lay." It was a good day: twenty-four On this subject we have inserted so many discourses, that we do not think it necessary to occupy our space with any portion of Mr. W.'s address. Suffice it to say, that it was short, conclusive, and to the point. A hymn having been sung, Mr. Wells commenced to ask the questions usual on such occasions; and first he requested that some friend would state how they were led to invite Mr. Thring to the pastorate. A very brief reply was given by a deacon to the following effect: Mr. Thring was recommended there as a supply in July last, |