which you are engaged. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin!" He said no more, and the two men parted. Many years after this event, as Mr. Wesley was coming out of church after preaching, he was accosted by a stranger, who enquired if he had any recollection of being attacked by a highwayman at such a time, with certain attendant circumstances. Mr. Wesley replied affirmatively. "I," said the individual, "was that man; that single verse, on that occasion, was the means of a total change in my life and habits. I have long since been attending the house of God, and the word of God, and hope I am a christian." How apt an illustration is this incident of the words of Jeremiah: "Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?"

WHEN DO WE KNOW CHRIST ?-When we think as Christ thought, do as Christ did, live as he lived; when, like him, we are patient, meek, and humble, are about our Father's business, are heavenly-minded; when, like him, our wills are lost in the will of God; when we sympathise with the suffering, raise the fallen, comfort the afflicted, forgive as we hope to be forgiven; when we feel thus, and do thus, then we know Christ; then we are united to him, as the branch is united to the vine; then we know what it is to have our lives hid with Christ in God. Reader, do you thus know him, or not?

THE SABBATH AND HEAVEN.-Heaven is called a Sabbath, to make those who love Sabbaths long for Heaven, and those who long for Heaven love Sabbaths.-Matthew Henry.

THE MONTH.

Since our last we have not been furnished with many of those more general ecclesiastical events which we record under this head. The Madiais are not yet liberated, but they are not at present treated with the greatest severities to which they were sentenced. The Duke has, however, dared, at this time of day, to enact that death shall be the punishment of heresy in future,death by the guillotine. All this we regard as the sequel to Lord John Russell's treacherous sacrifice of Hungarian civil and religious liberties to Russian might and Austrian bigotry. The Roman Catholic clergy throughout Europe are emboldened, by the success of the last Imperial Perjurer in grasping the French empire, to persecute afresh everywhere. Yet the spirit of free enquiry is abroad, and cannot be subdued; and this, combined with the sure ultimate reaction against the vile despots who now tread Europe beneath their feet, must produce another convulsion before long; probably a series of convulsions, of "overturnings," through which the nations will at last understand that Christ is Lord, and that his people are dear to him amidst all he permits them to suffer.

The British Anti-State-Church Conference has held its annual autumnal meeting, which was very numerously attended. It was considered that the solid progress already made, evidenced by the return of thirty-eight Dissenters to Parliament, required increased activity and organization throughout the country, and that henceforth the political part of the movement must become more and more prominent. As the bond of union between Church and State is purely political, it is obvious that even those who dislike political work most can effect the separation, which every christian ought to aim at as a religious duty, only by political means. If the Lord's enemies fetter religion in

political bonds, we must, of course, grasp the politics if we would hope to burst the bonds.

Some symptoms appear of a reform of those condemned but untouched iniquities -the Ecclesiastical Courts. Our principle is, that nothing secular, nothing affecting the liberty or property of Englishmen, ought to remain a moment longer in their odious power. If bishops and clergy like to have the courts for clerical amusement purely, let them. At present, even a Quaker must go before them to prove a will! Dissenters should be more alive than they are on this subject. To us it is hateful beyond measure to go by compulsion into a Bishop's or Archbishop's Court for Testamentary purposes; it is as revolting as going to the Parish Church to be married.

The

The Women of England have been led off, by the Duchess of Sutherland and some other great ladies, in an attack upon American Slavery. The female sex has certainly peculiar right to address their American sisters on this subject. atrocious violation of the first principles of decency, of maternal and conjugal affection, inherent in slave dealing, and even in slavery at all, demand that the voice of free women, sympathising with the cruel and degrading sufferings of their sex, should be raised and heard. And it will have its effect, too, notwithstanding the sneers of political and business journals.

Just as we write, the Ministry of evasion and shuffling has ceased to exist: it deserved to die. Would our aristocracy but permit a People's Ministry to fill their place, we should rejoice without qualification. It is but too probable, however, that we shall have far higher ability enlisted on the side of abuses than before. No Ministry will do anything worth doing, except by prodigious. agitation without, while Parliaments are septennial. It will ever be that for so long

a period it will answer to bribe, as Major Beresford has done, the constituencies by wholesale, and to purchase members by. corruption, pledged, of course, to support corruption. The ballot, short parliaments, and large constituencies, are essential to electioneering purity. Some good law reforms the Tory Cabinet made last spring unquestionably; they would have done something more no doubt for Ireland, and England too, in the same line; but they disappointed the people grossly in their Budget. It left untouched all the remaining protective duties; it taxed the towns enormously to relieve farmers in appearance only; it spared the aristocracy and afflicted the ten-pound householders; it repealed half the duties on an intoxicating beverage at once, at an immense loss to the nation, and took off but one-sixth of the duty on the "cup which cheers but not inebriates." The authors of such an insult to sobriety and equity deserved to fall. One merit belonged to the scheme-that of making a difference, for the first time, between incomes from trade and from realized property. Even this, however, shewed the cloven foot; for it was effected, not by increasing the tax on the wealthy and the men of property, but by extending it downwards to lower incomes than at present. The taxes on knowledge were not even noticed by our literary Chancellor of the Exchequer ! At the time we go to press, no definite arrangements have been made about a new Ministry. Lord Aberdeen, who was Foreign Secretary under Sir Robert Peel, and whom we know chiefly from his having made some admirable speeches in the House of Lords against Lord John Russell's Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, has been entrusted with the formation of the new administration. Lord John Russell is also to occupy a place-though not the first place in the Cabinet. We are sorry that nothing is said about calling for the assistance of those who are more truly representatives of the People. Sure we are that no Ministry can now be long in power, which does not recognize the rights, and yield, to a considerable extent, to the claims, of the hitherto uncounted and uncared for majority.

ZION CHAPEL, HEREFORD.

On Tuesday, the 6th ult., the friends in connection with the Zion church and Sunday school, at the above place of worship, took tea together, for the purpose of recognizing the services, and to take their leave, of their late deacon and superintendent, Mr. J. S Williams, who has been a valuable and laborious officer, in the above capacities, for more than seven years. The meeting was characterized by the good-feeling and christian affection peculiar to these gatherings. After tea, Mr. Davey, the pastor, presented Mr. Williams with a handsome inkstand and pen, on behalf of the teachers and members, as a slight mark of their esteem, and as a proof of their cordial sympathy and gratitude. This was feelingly acknowledged by Mr. Williams; after which,

he addressed a few appropriate and excellent remarks to his late fellow-members, teachers, The and to the undecided, respectively. active part which Mr. Williams took in every good work, will make his removal sensibly felt by his fellow-labourers.

CARDIFF.

An interesting meeting of the teachers of the English Baptist Sunday schools took place on Monday evening, November 29th, the object of which was to present Mr. J. Edy (late superintendent) with a handsome easy chair, as a mark of the high esteem in which he is held, for his long-continued and indefatigable exertions in connexion with that Institution. He had been a teacher for thirty-eight, and superintendent for twenty, years. The pastors, Messrs. Jones and Fuller, were present, and made some very appropriate remarks. An address from the teachers was also read by Mr. Sully, which was replied to in a very affectionate manner by the venerable gentleman. A Silver plate, with a suitable inscription, was placed on the chair.

HIGH WYCOMBE.

The Rev. J. Blakeman having resigned his pastoral charge at High Wycombe, the church has given a unanimous invitation to the Rev. E. Davis, late of Romford, which he has accepted. Mr. Davis commenced his pastoral duties on the first Lord's day in December.

Obituary.

MR. FRANCIS CLOWES, SEN., OF LYNN,
NORFOLK.

Mr. Clowes was born at Stalham, in Norfolk, May 12th, 1775, and died Nov. 11th, 1852, of course in the 78th year of his age. We have heard him mention that the first thing which most struck him, of a religious kind, was hearing some Methodists praying in the harvest-field, they being not aware of his presence on the other side of a hedge. He could not then understand how men so illiterate should

pray so well. The following incidents in his conversion were found narrated in his own simple language, and will, we think, be interesting to many.

"In August, 1797, as I was with my father's harvest men reaping wheat, it rained, so that they could not go on with their work; as several of them were Methodists, their practice was to carry a bible with them to read at their leisure. When it rained, and the Methodists went to reading and explaining their bible as usual, thought it strange that these people, who had little or no education, should understand and explain the bible better than I who had had a better one; and I made a determination that I would go home and practise reading the bible, so that I might know as much as they. This was my first motive for reading it; but I soon found that I must pray as well as read. I found that I was a sinner, a great sinner, and that sin was very displeasing to God. At this time I used frequently to enter into

At this

conversation with some Methodists in the parish, who were pious, good men, and always found their conversation both comfortable and instructive. I made many resolutions to lead a religious life, though at this time I had not right views of the gospel, as I was expecting salvation more as a reward for my good works, than from entirely depending upon the atonement and righteousness of Christ. About this time I found a book with prayers for morning, noon, and evening, and for a short time, though in harvest, I constantly prayed with it; but how it was I could not tell, but I soon left it off, and prayed without it. It pleased God about this time, I believe, to call my brother, and we began a correspondence about spiritual things, which proved very beneficial to me. At this time the doctrines of Election, Predestination, &c., instead of being soul-reviving and full of comfort, I thought very dangerous doctrines; but the Lord, I trust, by his free grace, led me in a short time into the truth as it is in Jesus; for a friend, Mr. S-, lent me Hervey's Meditations, and Theron and Aspasio, which God blessed as one great means of teaching me to build upon Christ as my only foundation. time I was convinced that the doctrine preached at the church where I attended was not evangelical, and I could not derive any solid comfort and satisfaction from it. I had often been told by some pious friends, that I should not find my mind at liberty, till I heard the gospel preached in its purity. I had many desires to go to the meeting, but never having been in one since I was a child, I felt very much ashamed; and I knew that my friends and parents, who all attended at church, would be very much displeased at it; but such was the state of my mind, that I sometimes dreamed about being at meeting. I was frequently advised to go to the Methodist meeting; but a young man who was a Baptist, advising me to go and hear Mr. Horn, Baptist minister, I made several resolutions to go and hear him; but I suppose it was three months before I could pluck up the resolution to do it. At last, like Nicodemus, I ventured by night, and earnestly prayed God to direct me where I should receive comfort and instruction. It so happened that Mr. Horn preached, though it was not at his own meeting, from Ephes. iv. 22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,' &c., and it was a very edifying discourse. I continued hearing Mr. Horn from that time until he left Yarmouth. I entered, also, into correspondence with Mr. S-, jun., and his two sisters, and there always existed a great friendship between us. I joined a bookclub, and the books were all religious ones, by which means I had great opportunity of improvement; but possessing a bad memory, I profited very little by reading. About this time, my brothers and I hired another farm, which was at a very great distance from the gospel; and I confess, the thought of being deprived of hearing the gospel

preached, and some other privileges, made a great impression on my mind, and made me, at times, very uncomfortable; but I trust I may with truth say, that I made it my earnest prayer to God, to direct me, if it was his will that I should not be situated there; and it always was impressed upon my mind that I should not live there; and so it proved, for we sold the lease of the farm. And here I am sensible that providence wisely ordered for me; and I hope I was deeply thankful for this great blessing. In respect to my experience when first brought to the knowledge of God, I never saw myself in that dreadful state some have described themselves to be in. I found myself a sinner by nature and in practice; that without a change of heart no man can enter the kingdom of heaven; that by the works of the law can no flesh living be justified; and that I am dependant on Christ alone for salvation."

Here this sketch abruptly terminates. It must have been written near the time to which it adverts, or it would have mentioned his being baptized, and joining the Baptist church at Ingham (near Stalham), July 31st, 1803. In the autumn of the same year, he hired a farm at Heacham, in West Norfolk, in which part of the country the remainder of his life was spent. He took an active part in the erection of a chapel, at which he attended for a long period, though ten miles distant. At that time the gospel was hardly preached at all in that part of the country; the minister of the Parish church was almost a Socinian in doctrine. In course of time a small chapel was erected in the village itself, to which, though the Independents insisted on its being conveyed to their denomination exclusively, he was by far the largest contributor. This circumstance, added, probably, to his refusing, at sixty years of age, to vote as a stripling Tory landlord of twenty-three demanded at a contested election, led to his expulsion from the farm which he had occupied and improved for thirty years. He eventually retired to Lynn, where a son-in-law was the much esteemed minister of the Independent chapel. Through life he was a most liberal supporter of the preaching of the gospel, and willing to aid in every christian and benevolent enterprise. He was one of the thoroughly consistent Liberals and Nonconformists; and, though a man of few words and great humility, he was very firm in maintaining his principles. He was, also, a man of strong and sound judgment. Perhaps very many of our readers will think it evidence of his being so, that, in 1815, when the corn laws were imposed, he, though farming largely, refused to sign a petition in their favour, alleging, what all now believe, that it was a landlord's business, and not a farmer's. to raise the price of corn. The disorder which carried him off is one always attended with very great depression of spirits; but, to the last, he maintained that humble hope which he had enjoyed through life. He was very much in prayer, and found great comfort in it. One of his last letters to one of his

children, a few weeks before his death, exhorts him to pray much also. As long as he retained his faculties, his frequently expressed desire was to depart and to be with Christ He felt that he could no longer be of use in the world, and that "the grasshopper had become a burden;" and with the consolatory assurance that "to die was gain," he gently sunk into the rest that remaineth for the people of God. His death-bed was surrounded by the greater part of a large family, who, though "rejoicing in hope," could but deeply feel that one who had loved and indulged them most tenderly, for nearly fifty years, could no longer receive the proofs of their fond gratitude, and that they could behold the dear paternal face no more.

THE REV. JOHN MORRIS.

He

The Rev. John Morris was born at Talybont, Cardiganshire, South Wales, September 11th, 1823. He was early the subject of religious conviction, and was baptized at Talybont, Oct. 22nd, 1837. was a useful member of the church there, and took an active part in the Sabbath school, and was regular in his attendance on all the means of grace. The friends thinking they perceived in him talents suited for the ministry, encouraged him to exercise in public in his native village, and in the neighbourhood. His preaching even at this early period was highly acceptable, and after some time application was made for admission to Pontypool college, which in due time proved successful. His conduct at college was such as to secure for him the esteem and good will of his tutors and fellow-students. The progress he made in his studies was satisfactory. He had a native thirst for knowledge, but loved especially the study of theology. At the close of his academic course he supplied the Baptist church at Shipston-on-Stour, Worcestershire, and received from them a cordial invitation to the pastorate. His ordination took place, August, 4th, 1846. Here he continued to labour with increased acceptableness till his heavenly Master called him from his labour to his reward. more than six months before his death he suffered great and severe bodily affliction, but he endured it all with calmness and resignation. "All," he said, "is well for eternity." And, turning to his beloved wife, he said, My dear, I have given you up to the Lord, and you must do the same with me." On Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 1852, he slept in Jesus. His funeral took place on the following Friday, and Mr. Philpin, of Alcester, delivered an impressive and He appropriate address on the occasion. was a young minister of a sound mind, and deep and sincere piety. He loved his flock, and was also loved by them. His end was peace. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

MR. RICHARD BAYLY.

For

The subject of this brief notice was born at Folkestone, in Kent, on the 22nd of December, 1797, and died at Ramsgate, on the evening of Nov. 26th, 1852; thus finishing

His

a course of nearly fifty-five years. parents being pious persons, and members of the church, his mind was early led to the consideration of those great truths, which for so many subsequent years he consistently adorned. His earliest and best years were spent at the feet of Jesus; and, under these circumstances, we are not surprised to find he made an early profession of religion, by being baptized. After his baptism, he joined the church meeting in Zion chapel, which was then in the Countess of Huntingdon's connexion.

In the year 1829, he was, in the providence of God, removed to Dover, where he united. himself with the Baptist church at Pentside chapel. His ability, for general usefulness being soon perceived, he was shortly after elected to the office of deacon, the duties of which office he perseveringly attended to, until his removal from that town. His' daily conduct gave witness that he was always ready to spend, and be spent, in the Master's service. After sustaining the deacon's office at Dover with fidelity for nine years, he removed to Ramsgate. At that time, the Baptist church then meeting at Beulah, but now in Cavendish chapel, was destitute of deacons. Shortly after Mr. Bayly settled down amongst them, he, with two other brethren, was elected to the office of deacon. To the duties thus devolved upon him he unremittingly attended, until his heavenly Father called him home. The Sabbath morning and evening prayer meetings, together with the Sabbath school, were the objects of his earnest solicitude. Rarely was his seat vacant, or his post unoccupied. He loved too to visit the sick and afflicted, and to minister consolation to those who were enduring "the trial of their faith."

Living in this manner, he was fully prepared to die. His departure was sudden, but characterized by those features which mark the "death of the righteous-peacefulness and serenity. About twelve o'clock on Friday, Nov. 26th, he complained of being unwell, and in the afternoon, sought relief in sleep. About five o'clock, his beloved partner in life went to call him for tea, when she found him insensible. Medical assistance was promptly rendered, but he continued insensible until about a quarter after nine, when, without a struggle or a sigh, his spirit was gently wafted to a happier and a brighter shore. Thus was finished a life which had been devoted to the service of the Redeemer.

On Sabbath evening, Dec 5th, his death was improved by his respected pastor, the Rev. Francis Wills, from the words, "He was a faithful man, and feared God above many." In the words of that text may be briefly summed up the whole character of the deceased. The bereaved widow has lost a faithful husband, the surviving children a kind and indulgent father-and the church a consistent member and useful officer. But "he being dead yet speaketh." A voice from the tomb is heard, "Work whilst it is called to-day, for the night cometh, when no man can work."