amidst the sighs and tears, the suppressed sorrows and half uttered farewells, of those whom he has long known and loved? what but the assurance that he is going to a brighter and better world, to be with Christ, which is far better than the holiest, happiest state here on earth. The christian knows and rejoices in the assurance that when this earthly house of his tabernacle is dissolved he shall have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; that when he has finished his course he shall receive the crown of life, in the hope of which, and to attain which, he has fought the good fight and kept the faith. To suppose that we are not to have special regard to our personal advantage in the pursuit of our religious course, is to suppose that religion, instead of being adapted to the nature of man, is entirely opposed to the very first, most important, and most beneficent law of that nature. Nay, such a supposition is alike opposed to the whole spirit and tenor, and design of divine Revelation; the intention of which is to stimulate us, on the one hand by the dread of evil, and on the other by the hope of eternal good. That the christian is urged by various other motives there can be no doubt. Gratitude, and love to God, are motive influences to which no christian can be a stranger; and, in proportion as these prevail we shall be constrained to acts of cheerful obedience, without any immediate consideration of personal advantage. But even the very love which we feel to God is by no means a purely disinterested love, for we love him because he first loved us.' Were it possible for us to know that God hated us, it would be utterly impossible for us to love him. It is the assurance we have that God has loved us that begets and keeps alive our love to him. Yes, our love to God is the offspring of that delightful saying, 'Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins,' &c. Love to our fellow-creatures will often lead us to sacrifice our own ease and comfort and present interest, for their benefit, without any immediate reference to our own present or future advantage; but this does not at all affect the question. We may do all this, and much more, and yet the consideration that enters most deeply into our minds, and that operates most powerfully in keeping us in the way to heaven, will be found to be that which our Lord sets before us, viz., the hope of getting to heaven; for as the apostle declares, 'We are saved by hope; but hope which is seen is not hope, for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for? but if we hope for what we see The not, then do we with patience wait for it.' Whether 'purely disinterested love to God' forms any part of religion remains to be proved. So far am I from thinking it the first and most essential element. of religion, that I most firmly believe it has no existence any where but in the purely airy region of a disordered imagination. Certainly the sacred writers make no pretensions to have attained, or even aimed at, anything of the sort. And, so far as I can discover, there is not a single precept in the word of God which enjoins any thing of the kind. When we are urged to the love or service of God, the precepts that enjoin the duty are uniformly connected with some advantage associated with the discharge of that duty, or with some obligation which we owe to God arising from benefits already received. Take for example the following passages, Love the Lord ye his saints, for there is no want to them that fear him.' young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but they that fear the Lord shall not want any good thing.' 'What man is he that loveth life, and desireth many days, that he may see good, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; let him eschew evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers.' Bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' 'O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him.' 'If any man will serve me, let him take up his cross and follow me; and where I am there shall also my servant be.' There have, indeed, been those among the advocates of purely disinterested love to God, who have gone so far as to say they would love God though he were to banish them to hell! But who does not see that this is neither the language of sober reason nor sound theology, but the dream of mere fancy or the raving of wild fanaticism. No doubt christians often feel ardent love to God, and are constrained devoutly to adore his infinite excellences, when at the time they have no distinct reference to benefits and blessings which they have received, or which they hope to attain. It is also freely admitted, that, impelled by this feeling, they may perform a thousand acts of obedience to the Divine will, in which they have no direct reference to the recompence of reward; but this is no proof that the christian is not powerfully actuated, in his way to heaven, by the hope set before him. A man who has set his heart on a certain object may do many things in the way to attain it, when at the moment the main object is not, thought of by him. For instance, the father of a family labours hard with a view to support his wife and children, but while he is doing so many hours will pass away in which this precise object will not occur to his thoughts, yet, after all, this is the grand stimulus which keeps him at it from early morn to dewy eve.' And just so with the christian, while he his really striving to enter in at the strait gate, the actual thought of heaven and heavenly glory may not at the time enter into his mind. Particularly may this be the case with those who have long walked in the narrow path, and with whom religious acts have grown up into a religious habit. I may have a benefactor who has been exceeding ly kind to me; my grateful love to him may be such that I feel delight in doing anything which will afford him pleasure; but when I am thus employed I may have no distinct recollection of his kindness to me, and it may seem as if my love were a purely disinterested affection. But is it so? Certainly not. It was awakened by his kindness in the first instance; it has been strengthened by renewed acts of that kindness, and by a frequent remembrance of his first display of love to me. But suppose I were to endeavour to cherish a disinterested love for this individual, that is, a love which had reference simply to the excellence of his character without any regard to his kindness to me, should I do right? Would that be the kind of love which I owe to him? Would it be suited to the circumstances in which I stand towards him? Certainly not. The love which I owe to him is the love of a beneficiary to a benefactor; a love mingled with the warmest gratitude for favours received and for kindness still displayed; a love which makes me feel as the poor Irishman did towards Dr. Doddridge when he said, 'Doctor, every drop of blood in my veins thanks you.' This man no doubt admired the Doctor for his wisdom and goodness; but in addition to that, he felt he was under special obligations of a personal kind, and he therefore mingled gratitude with his love, and if he had not done so his love would not have been what the case required. Now how does the case stand between us and God? Are we not under unmeasurable obligations to him? Then the true love which we owe to God-that which God requires, and which alone he will accept, is not a 'purely disinterested love,' but that love which arises from a grateful sense of his goodness to us; a love which leads us with adoring gratitude to exclaim, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.' 'I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplication, because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.' 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance which is incorruptible,' &c. Even the angels in heaven are bound to love God, on the ground, not simply of his matchless and eternal excellence, but on the ground of his goodness to them. Hence, so far from, a purely disinterested love to God being the first and most essential element of religion, I come to the conclusion that there is, and can be, no such thing, either in heaven above or earth below, because the relation in which all creatures stand to God is such as to render it utterly out of place, even if it were possible, and utterly impossible even were it suitable. Allow, me, in conclusion, to add, that if the essence of religion consisted in purely disinterested love to God, then certainly neither the joys of heaven nor the miseries of hell could consistently be urged as motives, or as persuasives to religion. Hence, it comes to this, that we must either give up the theory of purely disinterested love to God, or we must refuse to follow the example of Moses and the prophets, Jesus Christ and the Apostles; for they invariably urge the miseries of hell and the joys of heaven as the most powerful inducements to follow the way of righteousness. Fearing I have already exceeded the bounds of the space you will be able to allow in your valuable periodical, I am, yours very sincerely, Norwich. THOS. SCOTT. THE ACADEMY. Nottingham, 18th. Oct., 1851. MY DEAR SIR.-If not too late for insertion in the November Repository, might trouble you with a few remarks on the financial affairs of the Academy? You are aware, my dear sir, that at our last Association I very reluctantly complied (owing to a press of other engagements) to be treasurer for the present year; however as I have undertaken the office for that period, I resolved in my own mind, whatever extra time and trouble it might occasion me, so far as I could, its interests should not suffer under my care. I set to work at once to analize its income and expenditure, and I must confess the result occasioned me no little pain of mind to think so little is doing for the support of so important an auxiliary to the advancement of the cause of our blessed Redeemer in our Denomination. I find so few churches comparatively subscribe, or have annual collections (yet amongst these few there are some noble exceptions) that I felt it a duty I ought to set about at once, through the medium of the Repository, to appeal to every church throughout the Denomination, to have an annual OBITUARY. MY DEAR SIR, Believing that 'smitten friends in whom was no guile. Working in a room are angels sent on errands full of love,' and that with others in the sorting of wool, he short and appropriate obituaries of them in your sometimes heard religion maligned; on interesting periodical are adapted to enforce the heavenly message, we must plead guilty in not hav- which occasions he considered himself ining for some years sent any record of those of our sulted, and felt it his duty to speak in its friends whom God has taken to their rest, excepting defence; and when the infidel's bolts, as that of our esteemed pastor, kindly furnished by Mr. Cheatle. Desiring forgiveness of this and every was usually the case, were at length withother error, we shall be obliged by an insertion of drawn from religion and hurled at its prothe following notices, in which brevity has been fessors, he appealed boldly and confidently studied as circumstances seemed to require, and we hope to your satisfaction. to any one present to prove him insincere or inconsistent, and thus far he was always able to triumph. In like manner he defended the character of at least his own pastor, when ministers of the gospel were the butt of any of his infidel workfellows. In meetings for prayer his petitions were distinguished by a peculiar unction; as were also his addresses to the church in MR. JAS. HANDLEY peacefully departed this life on the 12th of July, 1847, aged thirty-five years, having been a member of the G. B. Church, Bradford, a little more than five years. His death was improved by Mr. Ingham, from 2 Cor. v. 1. MISS ELIZA GREGSON, aged twenty-one years, was called to the society of the spirits of just men made perfect' on the 17th of Feb. 1849. She was united with the church by baptism on the 4th of June, 1843. She enjoyed and adorned religion till her naturally delicate frame was insidiously seized, but finally grasped by what is usually denominated consumption. Her death was improved by Mr. Rose, from Ps. cxvi. 15. meetings held occasionally for the purpose of prayer to God, and of addresses to the church from those members thought by the church to be qualified by the Holy Ghost for this work. Being usually distinguished by mildness of manner and soundness of judgment, his services were generally sought by the church in cases of delicacy and difficulty, wherein haste, harshness, and indiscretion would have been specially calamitous. But from natural and excessive timidity, and from deep humility arising from a sense of unworthiness, which not unfrequently proceeded so far as to occasion painful doubts as to the reality of his piety, he would often have shrunk from employment for which every one but himself discerned his eminent qualifications, had he not been Mr. JONATHAN JENNENT was relieved from weakness and suffering, April 17th, 1849, aged forty-six years. He deserves a more lengthened memorial than can now with propriety be given. He was an honour able member of a P. B. Church in Bradford, when the General Baptists began to preach in this town. Believing our sentiments re-pressed to these engagements by his chrisgarding universality of provision in the tian friends. Perhaps a complaint of the death of Christ to be scriptural, he with- heart with which for years he was afflicted drew from his former christian friends, and had some connection with this. He wrestled became a member with us at the formation hard with sins and doubts and fears,' but of the church, on the 24th of June, 1832. we doubt not he is now uniting in the songs He was, along with three others, unani- of conquerors, ascribing his conquest to mously chosen and ordained as a deacon of the Lamb, his triumph to his death. Such the church, on the day of Mr. Ingham's ordi- was his influence over the church, so nation as pastor. As a member and officer mighty a helper of the pastor was he, that he was much esteemed, and possessed great when recovering from an affliction to which influence. In the estimation of the church he was subject, no words seemed more apand of the world he was an Israelite indeed,priate to the pastor's feelings than those of MRS. MARTHA HIRD exchanged her clay tenement, as we believe, for the mansions of the just, June 6th, 1849, aged fifty years. It was greatly to the grief of her heart that her partner was a bold declaimer against the inspiration of the sacred writings. She honourably maintained her profession of christianity from the time of her baptism, the 10th of Sep., 1837. Her death was improved by her pastor, from 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7. MISS HANNAH BENTLEY, aged twentyfour, joyfully bade adieu to every thing sublunary, on the 3rd of Sep., 1849. She united with the church by baptism on the 7th of Sep., 1845. She pleasingly exhibited simple, genuine piety. She knew herself a sinner, and Christ a Saviour. Christ was in her the hope of glory, object of love, and the source of peace and joy. Her death was improved by her pastor, from Rev. vii. 14. MRS. MARY RHODES terminated her earthly conflicts and afflictions, and entered, on the rest that remains for God's people, Sep. 22nd, 1849, aged sixty-three years. In her the grace of God was eminently conspicuous. To few individuals do the words of the Redeemer to the church at Smyrna appear more appropriate. Her works, her tribulation, her poverty, (but not oppressive poverty,) her spiritual riches, were apparent. She feared none of the things with which she was threatened, or that actually came upon her. She was faithful till she received the crown of life. In the commencement of her religious career her husband was not only destitute of piety, but sufficiently bold and wicked in the most solemn manner to threaten his wife with death, if she persevered in attending the means of grace beyond the number of times per week which he prescribed. She was, throughout this trial, comforted by the remembrance of Divine truth, and was enabled calmly and firmly to reply, that she would continue to discharge the duties of a wife, and of a mother, and that with the Lord's help she would persevere in living for eternity. She was repeatedly threatened, and variously persecuted, but, through God's grace, was ever faithful. She lived to witness the penitence, to enjoy the affections, and receive the praises of her husband. In passing through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord was with her, and she feared no evil. She was received by baptism into the church MR JONAS DENBY was also received by baptism into the fellowship of the church on the 10th of March, 1838. He was not a member of the church, when in the 70th year of his age, he departed this life, on the 12th of March, 1850; he along with some others having seceded, and having been formed into a separate church. He had been united with the Wesleyans for a considerable period previous to his connexion with ourselves from a conviction that our sentiments are more scriptural. His surviving friends have the comfort of his dying assurance that he was on the Rock. His end was peace. MISS ANN HICKERING GILL departed, as we believe, to be with Christ, on the 31st of Aug., 1850. She followed her Saviour in immersion on the 2nd of Aug. 1840, at the age of eighteen. She soon became a Sunday school teacher, and tract distributor. Her last affliction was very short; and from its commencement her conviction was that she was going home. To improve her death and that of Mrs. Illingworth, shall rest in hope,' Acts ii. 26. He also Mr. Ingham preached from, 'My flesh our then recently deceased pastor, Mr. Rose. alluded respectfully and affectionately to MRS. NANCY ILLINGWORTH died Sep9th, 1850, aged seventy one years. Her union with the church took place on the 18th of Aug., 1834. For some years before her decease her power of hearing had considerably failed. Her attendance on the means of grace during this period had been less frequent than formerly, and her piety had suffered. In her affliction this was regretted. On Christ with all her unworthiness, it is believed that she cast herself, and her friends sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.' MR. JOHN WILKINSON died on the 9th of Dec., 1850, in the 93rd year of his age. He was baptized on the 6th of Nov., 1842. For some time before he united with the church he felt himself a ruined sinner, on the verge of sinking into the pit of everlasting perdition, unless there should be some means of escape. But when applying at the throne of grace the Saviour's own gracious words, Matt. xi. 28, he obtained peace through believing. From that time to the close of life he felt not the burden of his guilt. Christ was his trust, his Saviour, his portion. In his dying affliction he expressed his hope that the will of the Lord might be done in him to the uttermost. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?' The following, amongst other thoughts, are suggested by the preceding memorials. How necessary are accessions to the church of Christ through the unavoidable execution of the sentence, 'Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.' How desirable that instead of the parents should rise up the children, to adorn, sustain, and extend the cause of our adorable Redeemer! In the removal of some of the preceding, their families and friends have sustained great loss. What a mercy that our times are in the Lord's hands, without whom not a sparrow falls; that we can cherish the confident assurance that the Judge of all the earth has done right; that as a father pitieth his children, so &c.' How desirable for our own sakes, for the sake of our coadjutors and survivors, is eminent piety. Why should any naming the name of Christ, sometimes in health and vigour, occasion a repetition of the painful sentiment, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.'? What an honour and advantage to the church of Christ are those members whose piety is so transparent to the world as to silence, to awe, to rebuke those who would sneer at, and revile our divine christianity! 'Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ,' &c.—2 Cor. iii. 3. Who, in contemplating the present indisputable variety in the degree of piety to which individual members in the church of Christ attain, can doubt the veracity of the apostolic assertion-'For one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead ?'-And who should not feel himself rebuked and quickened? Why should not every one be living the life of the righteous, and thus be in constant readiness for the coming of the Son of Man? Let each forsake all, and follow Christ; resolving, in dependance on God's assistance, as for me, I will serve the Lord. OPENINGS, &c. INTELLIGENCE. MANCHESTER.-New General Baptist Cha pel, Claremont Terrace, Strangeways.-The first sermon in connection with the opening of the above handsome edifice was preached by the Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown, of Liverpool, on Thursday evening, Aug. 28th, 1851. The Revs. W. M'Caw (Presbyterian), A. Si. mons, of Pinckbeck, Dr. Halley (Indep.), J. Sutcliff, of Staley bridge, R. Chenery (P. B.), and our own pastor, took part in the remaining services. On Tuesday evening, Sep. 9, a tea meeting was held in the spacious School Room, underneath the chapel, when several interesting and appropriate addresses were delivered, by our pastor (who was in the chair), the Revds. J. Harvey, of Bury; R. Chenery; H. Marsden, late of Leicester; J. Hewitt, Esq, who laid the foundation stone; and other friends. The collections at the opening services, together with the proceeds of the tea party, amounted to nearly £70. Our congregations up to the present time, as also the attendance at our Sabbath school, have been good; and the prospects of a cause being raised in this highly important and densely-populated town are more encouraging than they have been for years past. R. B-S. OLD BASFORD. Opening of New School Rooms.-On Lord's day, Oct. 12, two sermons were preached in theG. B. chapel in connection For particulars see June Repository for the present year, with the above-named object; the one in the afternoon by the Rev. J. A. Baynes, B. A., from 2 Cor. iv. 13;- We also believe, and therefore we speak;' and the one in the evening, by our esteemed pastor, the Rev. H. Hunter, from Heb. xiii. 16, ' But to do good and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased.' The collections amounted to £10. 10s. On the following Tuesday a public tea meeting was held in the school rooms, when upwards of 240 sat down. After tea a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by Revds. H. Hunter, J. Ferneyhough, W. R. Stevenson, M.A., Messrs. Mee and Rowell. A subscription was entered into, and the sum of £8 12s. 4d. was realized, the profits from tea included. Many kind friends had previously and since given or promised donations to the amount of £93, making a total of £112. We hope by the blessing of God to realize about £28 more, which will leave us with a debt of £100 upon the rooms, which we think will not burden us more than we can comfortably bear. The rooms will accommodate about 500 children; and we trust as we have now increased means for disseminating the truth, we shall by Divine grace increase our efforts to train the rising race in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. MARCH. On Lord's-day, Nov. 9th, and on the following Wednesday, religious services and a tea meeting were held, in connection with the re-opening of the General Baptist chapel at March. This place of worship, though |