our lost condition, and it shows us pardon full and free. Salvation is by Christ alone; He is a saving Word, a comforting Word, and a guiding Word. It is the music of the Father's voice, "Come unto Me."

THE EVENING SERVICE

commenced by singing "My God, the spring of all my joys.' Brother Dicker

son, of Stowmarket, read and prayed. Brother John Bonney, of London, gave us a warmhearted sermon from the words, "Sir, we would see Jesus" (John 12, xxi.). Do we desire to see Jesus? Jesus! Wonderful name! There are many things said about Jesus that He will never acknowledge. Jesus! Precious name! We are not surprised that these Greeks wanted to see Him, for the land was full of His fame. "Sir, we would see Jesus."

These words express the conscious want of every child of God. All who have this desire are born of God-"We would see Jesus This want was met under the old dispensation; in types and shadows Jesus was revealed unto them. But it is more fully met under the new dispensation. God's thoughts are revealed in one wordJESUS! A sight of Christ is necessary to make an efficient ministry. No man can rightly preach Christ unless he has seen Him. A sight of Christ will strengthen a minister in his work. A living Saviour makes a living ministry. A true minister longs to see Jesus working in his hearers' hearts. A sight of Jesus is the secret of fidelity in God's ways. When the sheep lose sight of the shepherd they wander. A glimpse of Jesus will make us zealous of good works. A sight of Christ will illuminate the mind and comfort the heart. When by faith we see the Father smiting Christ, our stroke seems lighter.

A SIX O'CLOCK PRAYER-MEETING.

The services of the second day commenced with a six o'clock prayer-meeting. This was a hallowed season to the 200 persons who were present. At this meeting the messengers from the churches led the devotions of the people. At nine o'clock, a second meeting was held when the ministers engaged in prayer. It was a delightful sight to witness some 1,500 people at a prayer-meeting. May God answer the fervent prayers presented to Him.

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was preached by Bro. S. K. Bland, who took for his text 2 Peter i. 3, According as His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

God has a people; a peculiar people who are dear to Him. Blessed is the man who cavils not at God's sovereignty; it is all grace to those who are humbled at His feet. God corresponds with His people; He condescends to be a letter writer. has had many an amanuensis; they sometimes wrote what they did not understand, but they wrote God's thoughts

He

Peter knew he had been greatly favoured; and now, before he passed away, he wished to speak by letter. Having these letters we must read them, and keep them. He writes as one who lived on high. He loved high doctrine, high experience, high practice.

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This Book is full of "accordings ;" and it accords with itself. Peter did not improve upon Moses; but his writings accorded with them. Life." There is no life without godliness; no spiritual life out of God. The life of God in man is the everlasting life of man. The gift of God is eternal life; and this life is in His Son.” "Given." Áll that is worth having is gift; it is a free gift. It is all according to the riches of His grace. It is given according to "His Divine power.' was exalted to give. To this power there is no limit. He has power on the throne; for He knows the righteousness of His claim. He has power over the angels, and they minister unto us, because they worship Him. He has power over devils, and power over all men and women.

Jesus

It needs this Divine power to give. God has the will to give. Jesus gave Himself that He might qualify Himself to give eternal life to all His people. His sacrifice gave Him power to pardon sin. He who died alone could say, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." Christ knew for whom He died; His blood was too precious to be spilt at a venture. He has therefore power to draw all His people to Himself.

In the afternoon a still larger congregation assembled, numbering, probably, upwards of two thousand. After reading and prayer by Brother Holden, of Limehouse,

THE SECOND ASSOCIATION SERMON

was preached by Brother J. Wilkins. The text selected was "Behold, now is the is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. vi. 2).

These words do not teach offered grace, but they refer to Christ. They are a quotation from the Old Testament. The speaker is the Father in His judicial character. Christ is heard and accepted Behold! it is an awkening herald. Behold! it is a note of admiration. There is God's Christ! Look at Him! Behold! it is an expression of wonder. Behold! it is a bold challenge, and it is a call to attention. There is something worth looking at. Here is God's work, and God's work will bear inspection. God is not ashamed of His work, and why should we be?

I. The Period of Time.-" The accepted time." "The day." In this period of

In

time the wonderful Prince was born. this period the seeds of important principles were sown. There never was a more important period of time. Let us look at the rise and opening of this wonderful day. It stretches from the cradle to the throne. It was the day of Christ's life, and it refers to the period of time between the two advents. Angels sang its birth; devils hated it; the prophets looked forward to it; and priests, with fingers dipped in blood, pointed to it. All in the old dispensation pointed to it, and every tongue in the new talks about it.

II. Certain inquiries in connection with it. What was there acceptable in that period to the Father? All His attributes were honoured. Christ did not tarnish any of the perfections of God. In His person they all shine in their native lustre. The purposes of love were accomplished, for love sits smiling upon her saved children.

What was there in Christ that was acceptable? His life, His sufferings, His sacrifice, and His perfect satisfaction; all were acceptable.

Why is it called the day of salvation; It met all that salvation required. The law made nothing perfect; but the bringing in of a better hope did. It is called

the day of salvation because Christ obtained and secured salvation for all His people.

.

"

III. The statements to be examined. "I have helped thee." Jesus was helped by the ministry of angels; helped in His humanity by His union to the Divine nature-the humanity was succoured by the Divine. He was helped by the ministry of the Holy Spirit; and helped by His Father's presence. "I have heard thee.' Christ was heard for Himself, and for His people. Christ was heard at the grave of Lazarus; and He will be heard at the deathbed of every saint. No part of the seventeenth chapter of John was rejected-all has been heard, and all will be answered. He was heard in Gethsemane; and the cries of Jesus there will never die. Christ is heard before the throne.

IV. The use the Apostle makes of this statement. Christ is accepted; therefore the persons, offerings, and prayers of His people will be accepted. There is salvation; it is by Christ, in Christ—yea, it is Christ. It is now. There is no need to go back to ritualism; it is now. There is no need to look forward for another revelation; it is now! There is no need to turn aside, either to the right hand or to the left; it is here. "Now is the day of salvation."

At the close of the service, all joined heartily in singing, "Blest be the tie that binds," &c.; after which Bro. Denmee offered the parting prayer. The collections, during the ineetings, amounted to £36 7s. 1d.

the Strict Baptist Mission to represent its interests. A resolution was passed recommending it to the support of our churches, one of which has already promised a collection."

At the close of the second day's services, Mr. Bland proposed the thanks of the assembly to the friends at Hoxne, who had so well and so thoroughly borne out the welcome they had given the other churches and many visitors, and to the inhabitants for the hearty hospitality accorded in regard to sleeping accommodation, &c., especially naming Mr Atkins for the use of his meadows; Lady Caroline Kerrison, for the use of heating apparatus, tables, &c.; Mr. Seaman, for much assistance; Messrs. Harper and Son, for conveyance of tents; and Messrs. Bendall and Whitton, for accommodation for horses, &c. vote of thanks was heartily passed.

The

It was announced that Mr George Harris, of Cranley Green, for twenty years the treasurer of the association, retires this year with the thanks of the body, for his long and useful service. He is succeeded by Mr Joseph Hitchcock, of Brockford.

The next year's meetings are to be held at Halesworth.

BETHESDA, NOTTING HILL GATE. THE seventeenth anniversary was held on Lord's Day, May 27th, when the pastor, Mr. H. Brown, preached in the morning, and Mr. W. Parnell in the evening.

On the following Tuesday the friends took tea together, after which a public meeting was held. The Pastor took the chair, and, after the reading of a short psalm, Brother Raiment opened the meeting with prayer. A few introductory remarks followed by the chairman, in which he stated he had to announce with regret that, owing to indisposition, two of the speakers (Brethren Clarke and Carpenter) would not be able to be present. A more pleasant announcement was that £3 3s. had been received from their friend

on

Mr Newby. After singing a hymn, Brother Cornwell was called upon to speak "God's Word above all books (Ps. cxix. 72). He said, put God's Word in the scales against all books and they would be found to be lighter than vanity. The Bible began with "In the beginning" and ended with "Amen." So Christ is the beginning of all good and the end of all. David said affliction was good.

He supposed it was because it was needful, and as beneficial. God's Book was more precious

than thousands of gold and silver; it dries the widow's tears, it meets the little child, it is blessed to the old patriarch. There is an end to the gold and silver, but no end to Scripture. David gave a sum equal to eighteen millions of pounds to the temple, and yet he said that God's Word was more precious than thousands of gold and silver. Brother W. Hazelton spoke on "God's peace above all joys" (Phil. iv. 7). Truth and peace were not always found united in a church, but it was blessed when it was so. God was the sole Author of peace; sin brought war and confusion. Adam communed with his Maker in Eden's garden, enjoying harmony and sweet intercourse. Sin came, a separation took place, and nothing but the work of Christ could bring in peace again. If a miser had any joy, it must be when surrounded by his gold; but the believer had a joy which passes understanding. He had more than thousands of gold and silver.

Brother W. Parnell spoke from "God's work above all employments" (1 Cor. xv. 58). God, the great First Cause, was never idle. He spake the world into existence. He is above all employments-the everlasting God-"the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Christ would have the preeminence, because His work is perfect. In the work of redemption, His own arm brought salvation. He trod the wine-press alone. He endured the wrath of Almighty God. To Him be all the glory. It was not only true that it was His work respecting creation and redemption, but it was so regarding regeneration. Believing in Christ is termed a new creation. We could not produce love or faith in the heart of any. It was all His own blessed implantation; to Him be all the glory, &c.

Then

Brother Oxborrow (deacon) read the financial statement of the church and of the Mortgage Debt Fund, from which it appeared there was £700 yet to be cleared off. He urged the friends to gather round this sum, and each do their best to nibble it away, and it would soon be gone. there would be a freehold chapel for the people of God to worship in till time should be no more. Brother R. E. Sears spoke on "God's glory above all ends (1 Pet. iv. 11). Glory to God in the highest is the subject we had to consider. The angels who heralded the Saviour's birth did not know the extent of the subject. Everything in this grand universe sounded forth His praise. There was harmony in all His works and all cry-glory. There was a

harmony in all truth. Election, Divine Sovereignty, Final Perseverance all cry— glory. If we would see this, we must look to Jesus. He holds all the fullness of grace. It could neither be diminished nor exhausted. In our day God's glory was a secondary consideration. Let us seek it in all things, &c. Votes of thanks to the ministers, and those who had taken collecting books and otherwise helped, concluded a profitable meeting. W. C. B.

Notting Hill Gate, W.

ELTHAM, KENT.

The

ON Tuesday, May 29, opening services were held in the "Baptist meeting-room," in this village. No public place of worship for those of our faith and order is understood to have previously existed here. Some friends, members of Primitive Baptist churches at a distance, living in the place, have united in the effort to have the Gospel preached and the worship of God carried on in accordance with their own views of truth, publicly and regularly. Assisted by a liberal grant from the Metropolitan Association of Primitive Baptist Churches, they have fitted up a commodious room for the purpose. It is an upper room," of a capacity to contain about 150 persons, and as suitably fitted up and furnished for sanctuary service, presents internally a neat and comfortable appearance. opening services were well attended, friends from metropolitan and other churches being present to encourage the local brethren in this effort, which, it seems, has not been accomplished without some opposition on the part of their neighbours. Mr. John Box preached an excellent sermon, well adapted for the occasion, in the afternoon, from Psalm xc. 17. Mr. R. E. Sears, in an earnest and affectionate manner, offered prayer, also read the Scriptures and gave out the hymns. A goodly number sat down to a well-provided tea. The evening meeting was presided over by James Mote, Esq., and suitable addresses were delivered by Bros. Archer, Box, Cattell, Osmond, and Squirrell. It is expected that a church of Christ on Bible principles and according to New Testament order, will be shortly formed here; on which may the Blessed Spirit graciously vouchsafe to smile, causing it to become, for spiritual beauty, what the surroundings of the village are naturally —very fruitful and lovely.

The collections made on this occasion were exceedingly good, amounting, with the association grant of £25-to the handsome sum of £55, being more than sufficient to defray the expense of adapting and fitting up the room.

GADDESDEN Row, HERTS.

THE anniversary of this cause of truth was held on Tuesday, June 12th, when two sermons were preached by Mr. G. W. Shepherd. Many kind friends came from surrounding districts, and a good day was enjoyed.

[It is proposed shortly to give the Sabbath-school children a treat, and also, if possible, some small rewards by way of encouraging the deserving, but lack of funds induces the friends to solicit small contributions from kind friends outside. Contributions will be thankfully received by Mr. Ivory, Gaddesden Row; or by Mr. Read, Baptist minister, Leighton Buzzard. Reference as to bona-fides permitted to G. W. Shepherd, London.]

RATTLESDEN.

ONCE more would the friends of this rural neighbourhood desire to record the favours of the God of Jacob in the exercise of the power of His kindness and manifestation of His goodness, not only in the providential display of His hand-causing the hills and vales to luxuriate in richness and beauty; giving us to see the seed, having passed into life, and come forth in its first stage of the blade, but passing in rich and promising prospects into ear, in anticipation of the full corn in the ear, which the husbandman hopes to realise; by the earth once more yielding her increase, far in excess of recent years, for which we hope to join to praise Him. But further, it is ours to desire to strike a higher and louder note, in that the seed of the kingdom has not only been sown, but, by the gracious influence of the Holy Ghost, made to germinate, producing the blade of a living concern in the souls of some poor sinners; yielding the ear of loving profession to Him who is our Head, and gospel confession of Him who is our Lord and Lawgiver, in their attachment to His name, person, and ordinances, which must, under the Divine and sacred influence of God, the Spirit ultimately produce the full corn in the ear, by completing the life of grace in the perfection of glory.

We have been favoured to rejoice together once more in opening the baptismal pool on the first Lord's-day of this present month of June. I was then privileged to immerse four of the avowed followers of Christ, on their profession of faith in Him, in the name of the Holy Trinity. Thus, we are being made glad by the dear Lord devising means to fetch home His banished ones, and to call His children near; all glory to His adorable name. The weather was fine, the congregations unusually large, and a Divine influence, producing holy sanctity, pervaded the assembly, and crowned the ordinance; thus acting as a happy prelude to the meetings of the Suffolk Strict Baptist Association, which were held the same week at Hoxne, being extraordinarly well attended, and exceedingly enjoyed by the immense concourse of friends assembled. Surely the scene on that occasion warrants us in giving the lie to those who, probably in ignorance or malice, state the Strict and Particular-or in other words, the Primitive Baptists-are dying out.

We are further encouraged to hope and believe the day is not far distant when the pool will be again opened, as several anxious and inquiring ones are waiting about the gates of Zion. May the great Shepherd put forth the crook of the Word, and compel them to come in, in increasing numbers, and pour upon us, as a church, a large and increasing spirit of prayer and concern for their souls, to the exaltation of Christ, the glory of our one God, and the joy of the saints of the Most High. June 14th R. A. HUXHAM.

HIGHLY satisfactory Sunday-school anniversary services were held on Lord's-day, May 27th, and the following Tuesday. On Lord's-day, the pastor, Mr. Samuel Gray, preached in the morning from Judges viii. 18, "Each one resembled the children of a king and, in the evening, from Mark iv. 28, "First the blade." In the afternoon a weighty and appreciated address was given to the scholars and friends by Mr. George Gray, of Blackheath, from Heb. xii. 24, "The blood of sprinkling." After the address, a series of questions was put "The by the pastor to the scholars upon Life of Mordecai." Hymns specially

selected were sung by the children. Large congregations were present at all the services, and the glory of the Lord was in the midst. On the Tuesday, upwards of 250 partook of a well-served tea in the large schoolroom. At the public meeting more than 500 scholars and friends were present. Mr. S. Gray presided; prayed was offered by Mr. Reid. The secretary, Mr. S. J. Grover, read the report and statements of accounts. The meeting was then briefly addressed by the superintendent, Mr. Cozens; the treasurer, Mr. W. L. Payne; and the librarian, Mr. W. S. Tankard. Four recitations were delivered by scholars chosen for the purpose. The meeting was enlivened by some selections of sacred music. Prizes were distributed by the chairman to members of the Bible-class, who had gained them in a competitive exercise in Scripture questions. The prizes were the gift of Mrs. Carter, being for both classes. First prize, value 12s. 6d. ; and second prize, value 7s. 6d. The unsuccessful competitors were generously rewarded by Mr. W. L. Payne with books, according to the respective values of their answers. Words of counsel, commendation, an encouragement were addressed to them all. The prizes awarded to the scholars for regularity, punctuality, and good behaviour were distributed. W. L. Payne, Esq., promised, next year, to reward all in the school, according to merit, who should answer a set of Biblical questions to be prepared by the pastor.

The report showed that there are, at present, 510 scholars upon the books, and that thirty-five teachers are engaged in the good work. The average attendances during the past year have been :-Morning -scholars, 254; teachers, 25; afternoon -scholars, 375; teachers, 28. Love, peace, and unity prevail among the officers and teachers. Five scholars have entered the church during the year. The teachers' meetings for prayer have proved holy and heartening seasons. On the suggestion of the pastor, the committee have recently adopted a missionary-box in aid of the Strict Baptist Mission. The financial position of the school is perfectly sound. Reports of Sunday-school work are naturally inviting, and the favourable character of this particular report bespoke for it a ready welcome. It is far from singular, therefore, that the ensuing year is faced with the joy of gratitude and the rejoicing of hope. The Lord give good success. Amen.