On this being reported by The Times, the Rev. J. Ivimey addressed a letter to the editor of that journal, showing that the intidel preacher and his audience cannot be under the protection of the Toleration Act, and concluded by expressing his regret that a gentleman supposed to be the representative of Dissenters, "should have spoken in extenuating terms of the moral nature of Deism."-" Whatever, (said Mr. 1.) may be the opinion of Mr. W. Smith, and of that denomination of Protestant Dissenters with whom he is more imme. diately connected, I venture to assert that such is not the sentiment of the far larger part of the Dissenting community." To this Mr. Smith chose to reply in the same journal of the 5th December, in which letter he explains the sentiment he uttered, and expresses himself "anxious only wholly to exempt that class of offences from human jurisdiction, in which I should have hoped and believed myself indeed the universal representative of the English Dissenters." Mr. Ivimey bas however followed this up by publishing "a letter to Henry Waymouth, Esq. Deputy Chairman of the Deputies appointed to protect the civil rights of the Protestant Dissenters," on a subject of vital interest to the reputation of the Dissenting community, containing remarks upon "the attempted exculpatory letter of W. Smith, Esq. M. P." This letter, a copy of which has been sent to every Deputy, concludes by asking this plain question, "Shall a gentleman, who, in his place in the House of Commons, appeared as the apologist of a notorious infidel, be continued the Chairman of a Society which represents the general body of the Protestant Dissenters in London?" As the Annual Meeting is very near, an answer will soon be given, which we shall report to our readers in our next number. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ASSOCIATION. On Thursday, Sept. 21, 1826, was held the half-yearly meeting of the Northamptonshire Association of Independent Ministers and Churches at Yelvertoft. On which occasion the Rev. B. L. Edwards, of Northampton, preached in the morning. In the afternoon, the business of the Association was transacted in the meetinghouse, Richard Franeis, Esq. of Churchover, in the Chair; the Reports of Provident and Missionary Funds were then attended to, and various resolutions were adopted, and animated addresses delivered by the ministers and others present on the occasion, which was numerously attended. In the evening the Rev. William Gear, of Market Harborough, preached. ORDINATION. On Wednesday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Edmund Russ, late a student in the Academy at Hackney, was ordained over the newlyformed church at Gorleston, Suffolk. The Rev. Mr. Dennant, of Halesworth, read the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. Mr. Hickman, of Denton, delivered the introductory discourse, and asked the usual questions; the Rev. Mr. Ritchie, of Wrentham, prayed the ordination prayer; the Rev. Mr. Sloper, of Beccles, addressed the minister; the Rev. Mr. Innes, of Norwich, addressed the church; and the Rev. Mr. Fisher, of Hartwell, prayed. May the blessing of the God of Zion rest on this infant cause! REMOVALS. The Rev. Robert M'All, M. A., late of Macclesfield, has accepted a call of the Church at Mosley Street, Manchester, to undertake the pastoral office, vacant by resignation, and will enter upon his new labours the first Lord's day of this month. The Rev. W. Wild, late of Chalford, has removed to Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. FAVOURS have been received since our last from the Rev. T. James-G. Burder-C. Muston-J. Turnbull-G. Betts-J. H. Cox-J. Gawthorn -- R. Ashton-R. H. Shepherd-G. Redford--W. Chaplin-R. Halley-A. Wells-W. Harris, LL. D.— T. W. Junkin-S. Thodey-J. P. Smith, D. D.-E. Darling-C. N. Davies.A. Creak. Also from Messrs. R. Simpson-J. Storer-H. Rogers-Clericos. Ang. Eccles.-R. S. -G. P. B.-B. Epaphoras and Miles in our next. T. W. J. W. shortly. We had prepared a short notice of Beta's book before we received his note, which contains imputations that are not worthy of refutation. There is not a Review issues from the press more independent of private interests than our own. We shall attend to the suggestions of several respected Correspondents, and give a List of Lectures, &c. on our Cover next month, we could not prepare one in time for the present number. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN COOKE, LATE PASTOR OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT MAIDENHEAD, BERKSHIRE. (Concluded from page 7.) Not THE mysterious and wise arrangements of Providence have often been singularly illustrated in the preparation of young ministers for extensive usefulness in after life, by severe trials and fiery temptations in their early days. only has such a course of suffering enhanced their estimate, and enlarged their apprehension of the grace of Christ, but it has afforded an insight into human nature, and a knowledge of Satan's devices, which could not otherwise have been acquired. One of the most important and useful qualifications of the christian pastor is "to be able to comfort others with the comfort wherewith he himself has been comforted of Christ Jesus." Mr. Cooke's usefulness may be traced to his painful course of spiritual training, by which he acquired such a knowledge of his own heart, as gave him a masterkey to the hearts of others, and by which he could speak experimentally to almost every case which he had to discuss in the pulpit, or treat in private. Many of his papers record the deep anguish of his spirit under the vivid perception of the holiness of God, and a consciousness of his own guilt and helplessness as a sinner. The following extract from his Diary, dated in the year 1785, will illustrate his skill in exhibiting the truths of the Gospel, and show, at the same time, the imN. S. No. 26. pressive and sententious style in which he generally preached and wrote. "But there is forgiveness with thee.' What soul do I hear pronouncing these words? Is it one of the heavenly host chaunting it forth as the most delightful theme? Or is it one of the fallen angels encouraged by a ray of hope? Or a just person on earth, who never went astray from God, since his conversion, by any enormous backslidings? No: tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon-'tis David! king David! the singer of Israel!-Who is thus talking with such anxiety of mind about forgiveness! "Tis a MURDERER, who felt the guilt of blood upon his miserable con man after. God's own heart! the sweet science! 'Tis an ADULTERER, who feels the defilement of the horrid act! 'Tis one who lay near, or quite twelve months in sin, after the sweetest communion with God! Astonishing! such a man under the pleasing view of forgiveness! If a murderer, hear the word of the Lord' He that sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.'-Surely, then, his hope is false; damnation, and not forgiveness, is his fate. An adulterer! Thus saith the Lord, Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.' He, therefore, must be cursed, and not forgiven. And so must I, says the trembling criminal, if the Judge should mark iniquity, and give me the desert of my sin, and the threatenings of his law. But hear it, O ye despairing sinners! sound it forth, O ye glorified saints! join them, O ye heavenly angels, and rejoice in it, O my guilty and forsaken soul, that there is forgiveness, FORGIVENESS with God, an offended and injured, a just and awful God! Not there was, but there is forgiveness with God, though not with man. "O my God, could such a murderer, such a defiled adulterer, find forgiveness of such awful crimes, against such knowI ledge of divine things; such privileges as he enjoyed; such love as he had slighted; such goodness as he had abused; such experience of thy favour; and such vows, promises, and resolutions as he had made? Good God! what a pattern of thy mercy is here!-Forgiveness! Who, who is the subject of this forgiveness? Not fallen angels, but fallen man. While thy holy law curses for the least sin, thy Gospel proclaims mercy to the chief of sinners, such as David, Paul, and I, the chief of the three-Ah, so there is, David, there is forgiveness with God; I have sought it and found it, and need it, and seek it again. Notwithstanding sins, repeated, unequalled, and enormous sins, enough to drive millions to despair, there is forgiveness with thee, forgiveness for sinners as vile as I." Notwithstanding the many trials from false friends and open enemies which attended Mr. Cooke's early labours at Maidenhead, yet God made his way prosperous. Some forsook him, some received his faithful addresses with coldness, and many were roused by the fidelity of his reproofs to secret or open opposition against him. But still the cause of the Redeemer flourished, the truth gained friends, and they rallied round the young preacher and the infant cause. After about two years' residence in the town, it was deemed desirable to erect a new meetinghouse. The following are the observations relating to this event, recorded in his Diary, dated Sept. 18, 1785. "Sunday. This day our new meeting. house was opened, having been completed in less than a year. How many fears possessed my throbbing heart! I reasoned, I prayed, I strove, and all too little to embolden a mind sensible, deeply sensible of its own weakness, and the greater talents possessed by those I expected would hear me. Let me enrol this convenient place for the worship of my God among my many favours from heaven. Let it be as another cord twisted with the rest to bind my soul to the warmest gratitude and the most cheerful obedience to my Maker's laws. The place is not for man, but the Lord God. The materials, the money, all were the Lord's. Of his own have we given him. I bless the Lord for blessing the people with a willing heart. May they never be one farthing the poorer for what they have given. It was first proposed by my friend I nourished the thought with fear and trembling. It was no sooner proposed by us to the subscribers than assented to. They all contributed cheerfully, to all appearance, who did contribute any thing; and the Lord loves a cheerful giver. How reasonable, how becoming is it, that the eternal Owner of the universe should have such an acknowledgment paid him by his creatures, for he has given us body, soul, and every comfort.--(1) Some have wished us embarrassed in money matters; thank God they are disappointed; and I pray my God to impress the sin upon their minds, and then forgive it for ever.-(2) The builder, himself a subscriber, and long a professor, has acted in an arbitrary, ungrateful manner; has led us to many unnecessary expenses; and, had he ther. not been opposed, would have gone furThis proves, that though God's children should be harmless as doves, they ought to be wise as serpents. Carnai As professors will cheat real Christians. soon as the building was finished, this man lost the job of building a private dwelling-house, through his unprecedented conduct. This was God's requiting hand. (3) Two of the subscribers to the old meeting refused to subscribe to this. No work for God meets with the approbation of all. (4) One of the subscribers to the old meeting opposed us at every step, from first to last, and pleaded that the old meeting would last our lives. The Lord change and forgive his narrow mind, and grant him a greater regard for God, his cause, and posterity. This man has shown me how little he believes his Bible, and church, especially while the building bas has made me pray much for him and the been going on.-(5) The men employed in the work were very dishonest. Almost every meal they stole time--twice, nay three times their allowed time. We or the master must be cheated. Poor souls, I pity them, and think of the reckoning day they have to meet.--(6) It cost half as much again as was supposed. How few count the cost before they begin in soul-matters! How liable to mistake on this side death and eternity!--(7) The weather was exceedingly favourable, especially at first, and seemed to say, go forward.'-- (8) One poor wicked man in the town, who envied us the place, found his envy and malice increasing every time he passed the mecting, and at last wished somebody would join with him, and he would burn it to the ground. I bless the Lord that he prevented him, and brought the man to the old meeting, and seized his rebellious heart. He now sees, feels, and trembles under his guilt. He is pricked to the heart. The Lord forward his work in him!--(9) My soul often feared the peo ple would be too much elated with it; but I think the fall of bas made us walk with fear, and rejoice with trembling: I am sure it has me at least.--(10) How often when walking by it have I thought- well, if God should take me to a house not made with hands, eternal in the beavens, how cheerfully should I sacrifice my wish of preaching in this new meeting! --(11) In the morning, it was opened at the prayer meeting.. Three engaged in prayer, and all shut up through fear. This rather added to my discouragement. -(12) After reading a chapter, I found much liberty in my first public address to God in that place. But such an effect had my fear, and the smell of the paint on my body, that had not God sent a neighbouring minister to engage for me in the afternoon, I doubt whether I could have gone through the day's work. Many came who never heard before. God will be just in their aggravated ruin, if they Dever hear again. I hope the poor builders won't be shut out of the ark. Nor the subscribers to the meeting be a mere scaffold to God's church! May the inhabitants of Maidenhead never find their and especially to the esteem of his ministerial brethren. In many instances, it was attended with the happiest results Indeed, usefulness to men's souls may be said to have been the prevailing, the increasing thought of his heart. It guided his studies-his readinghis conversation-his preachinghis prayers. It was the chief feature in his character, and it will be the chief glory of his namethe odour of his memory for many, many years to come. has preserved hints and memoranda of many of the most remarkable instances of his usefulness, sent one or two extracts, which and from these we shall now prewill, we have no doubt, gratify our readers. The first is the case of a boy, who came to the town He hell the hotter for this convenient place of from the Bluecoat School, for the worship." For about ten or twelve years after our friend's settlement, he continued at short intervals to make notes of the state of his religious feelings, accompanied with such reflections on the passing events of life, as were natural to a pious mind. ilis observation of character was shrewd and close; and many of his private remarks show how diligently he studied the state of bis flock. It was not a show of friendship to himself, or of attachment to the Gospel, that could hide the unjust or unholy professor from his scrutinizing eye. When he heard of the false weight and measure, of secret slander, of the oppression of the poor or the hireling, of removing a neighbour's land-mark by any of his professed friends; he would go with the word of God in his hand, and with the integrity and fearlessness of an ancient prophet, reprove the rich or the powerful sinner. Though this course often exposed him to the malice of the hypocrite, it commended him to the affection and gratitude of all faithful men, benefit of his health, and to whom Mr. C.'s kindness, conversation, and ministry were blessed. It is thus introduced among Mr. C.'s papers. OPPORTUNITY IMPROVED. "As ye have opportunity do good unto all men.' Young Master P caught a cold at the Bluecoat School; and although wet to the skin, was not allowed to change his clothes. The cold seized his lungs, and he was sent to Maidenhead for change of air. He robbed my garden of its fruit daily; and when detected, endeavoured to conceal the theft by lies. I convicted him, and he was overwhelmed with the loss of character which he anti cipated. I assured him of my forgiveness, give him, for Christ's sake. I treated him and directed him to pray to God to forkindly, and gained his ear and his heart. He took every opportunity of being in my company; and came to hear me. His attention was fixed-his understanding truths he heard, and his conscience was was opened his memory filled with the awakened, and his heart won to Christ. He returned home-was confined to his bed, and, in a short time, died. I met his father, who with a full heart and broken sentences, thanked me for my attention to his little son. Never before,' said he, did I see religion so lovely. My dear boy talked of you, your sermon, the Saviour, and heaven, with such hope, and joy, and patience, and thankfulness, and resignation to God, as I shall never forget. He feared not death--had no wish to live.'-His mother visited me. With tears of grateful joy, she bowed to the will of God, whose wisdom and mercy had rendered so painful and so speedy a change, the greatest blessing of her dear little boy's earthly existence, as I had assured him it would prove. May its effects be found an eternal memorial of the grace of God in the souls of his relations!" Another instance of ministerial success he has recorded thus: "On Thursday, I was sent for by a well educated, sensible, amiable creature. Alarmed at my entering the room, she turned pale, and assured me, that she had always lived a good life. I asked what she meant by a good life? She answered, a moral life. I asked her, if the law of God--the ten commandments, formed the standard or rule of her morality? Certainly, she replied. I then opened the law in its purity, spirituality, equity, goodness, and perfection, and the consequence of transgressing it, and after praying with her, left her. Friday, on seating myself by her, she exclaimed, O, Sir, if the law of God is the rule of morality, I have never been even moral. I confined my notions of goodness, morality, and religion to outward expressions; but this law requires my heart, all my heart; and condemns every thought, word, and act that is sinful. I feel convinced, that I am a sinner, a condemned sinner.' Never did I see the rapid progress of saving knowledge equal to her own. She needed it for I found she had a cancer in her mouth. All her teeth came out, at 23 years of age. Two holes were found at the bottom of the lower jaw, so that she retained liquid in her mouth with difficulty. "My future visits were peculiarly in teresting. On entering the room one day, she said, I pity you, my dear Sir, the room must be so very offensive from my breath; but I bless God for this afflic tion. It is very great, and through the grace of the Saviour, very light. I envy not the most healthy, wealthy, or honourable. Now! now! ——I can read my title clear, To mansions in the skies; I bid farewell to ev'ry fear, And wipe my weeping eyes.' "There is not a fellow creature on earth, with whom I would exchange conditions. God is gracious, the blood of Christ is my refuge, I am very happy; my trial is short 1 cheerfully resign my life--I fear not death--it will be my short passage to heaven." Thus my encouragements to visit the sick multiply; and bid me, One of the most memorable in stances of his success, in the conversion of profligate sinners, occurred in the case of a tradesman, who was the member of a most notorious and vicious association, denominated "the Hell Fire Club." It may startle some of our readers to hear, that a company of dying men could combine together for the express purpose of ridiculing, and setting at defiance the most fearful terrors of their Almighty Maker, and to stimulate and excite each other in the practice of every thing which could tend to harden their moral feelings, and familiarize them to the slavery and degradation of vice. Yet it is the fact, the humbling fact, for human nature, that such an association did exist, not many years ago, in a large and populous town. Mr. Cooke's narrative of the case, to which we refer, is contained in the following brief extract from his diary : "Called to preach in Lady Huntingdon's Chapel at the opening. A tradesman heard and lived. Six years afterwards he came into the vestry, at Bristol Tabernacle, after partaking of the Lord's Supper with 500 souls, and related the following facts. He began, Dear Sir, you do not know me; but I know you. Six years since, I belonged to the Hell-fire Club, at in shire. We always endeavoured to coin a new oath for the evening, and the chairman decided who had the pre-eminence. As I was walking from home in my way to the club, I was asking myself what sin I had not committed, and I would commit it before I went to bed What new oath I should swear? Passing on I saw a light, and heard your voice from the pulpit in the street. I paused. Went on, saying, I would return after the club-meeting. Second thoughts prevailed, and I went into the chapel, fearing that on my return, the service might be over, and I should have no sport. I entered. You repeated your text, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unta men; and whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him ; but whoso blasphemeth against |