UXBRIDGE. On Tuesday, June 17th, services were held for the purpose of recognising the Rev. G. Rouse, of Lowden, as pastor of the church in this place. At half-past two the chapel was crowded. The Rev. W. Jeffery, of Amersham, commenced by giving out a hymn; the Rev. J. Bigwood, of Brompton, read Eph. iv. 1-16, and prayed; afterwards the Rev. W. B. Bowes, of Blandford Street Chapel, gave a brief but lucid description of the nature and constitution of a christian church. The Rev. W. Emery, of Mile-end, Rickmansworth, asked the usual questions. Having wished the pastor well, prayer was offered by the Rev. J. W. Lance, of Brentford, and the Rev. Francis Wills, of Kingsgate Chapel, London, proceeded to deliver the "charge" to the newly-elected pastor, from 1 Tim. iv. 16. The Rev. G. Hawson, of Staines, concluded with prayer. The company then adjourned to a tent on the ground where school-rooms are to be immediately erected. Peter Broad, Esq., presided at the tea, and addressed the meeting with much earnestness and power. In the evening, an eloquent and impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. W. G. Lewis, of Westbourne Grove Chapel, London. TRINITY CHAPEL, LONDON. The young members and other friends attending at Trinity Chapel, Borough, assembled after the prayer- meeting, on June 16th, to present the Rev. H. J. Betts with a testimonial of their confidence and affection. It consisted of a cruet-stand, with a suitable inscription engraven upon it, a gold watch chain, and a copy of Dr. Angus's Bible Hand-book. Mr. Oliver (one of the deacons) presented the testimonial. Mr. Betts acknowledged the gift with much emotion, assuring the people that their affection was reciprocated both by himself and Mrs. Betts, who would share in that part of the present intended for domestic use. That love might long continue and abound was his most earnest prayer. It is pleasing to add, that the increase of church and congregation at "Trinity" is such as to make an enlargement of the chapel necessary. Steps have already been taken for the accomplishment of this object. UPTON-ON-SEVERN. On Wednesday, June 25th, a tea meeting was held in the vestry of the Baptist chapel in this town, to commemorate the settlement of the Rev. Josiah Green (late of Darlington) as pastor. The walls were decorated with garlands of flowers and evergreens. Upwards of 140 were present. After tea the friends adjourned to the chapel, when the Rev. Wm. Crowe, of Worcester, was requested to take the chair. Appropriate and very faithful addresses, as to the duty of pastor and people, were then delivered by the chairman and the Revs. Messrs. Green, Overbury, of Pershore, and Dunn, of Atch Lench. During the intervals of speaking several pieces of music were sung very creditably by the choir. The chairman closed the service with prayer. NEW SELECTION HYMN-BOOK. The trustees, at their annual meeting on the 17th of June, were enabled to distribute £225 to forty-five widows of Baptist ministers and missionaries. The annual distribution has now been continued for twenty-six years, and has amounted in the whole to £4,439. The applications of the widows of ministers using the book during their latest pastorate have never in any instance been refused. MINISTERIAL CHANGES. The Rev. J. Russell, of Chatham, having accepted the unanimous invitation of the church in Providence Chapel, Austin Street, Shoreditch, commenced his stated labours on Lord's-day, July 6th.-Mr. T. C. Carter, after seven and a-half years' labour, retired from the ministry at Chenies, Bucks, on the 29th June, when the church and congregation presented him with a handsome silver Cream Ewer, as a testimony of their high esteem.-Mr. James Davis, assistant minister of Counter Slip Chapel, Bristol, has received and accepted a unanimous invitation to become the minister of Camden Road Chapel, London, and entered upon his new sphere on the second Sabbath of July. The Rev. Thos. Peters, of Ragleigh, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church of Kingsbridge, to become its pastor. The Rev. R. W. Overbury has resigned his pastorate of the Baptist church, Morice Square, Devonport.-The Rev. E. Griffith, Burnham, Essex, has accepted the invitation of the church at Wrexham to become their pastor, and commenced his labours amongst them on Lord's-day, July 6th. The Rev. H. W. Stembridge, late of Paulton, Somerset, having accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the Baptist chapel, Brideport, to become its pastor, commenced his labours there on Lord's-day, July 6th. The Rev. R. P. Mc Masters, of Walsall, having received a cordial and unanimous invitation from the Baptist church, in Cow Lane Chapel, Coventry, to become their pastor, has responded to the same, and will commence his stated labours the first Lord's-day in September. The Rev. Harris Crassweller, B.A., late of Leominster, having accepted the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church meeting in the Lecture Hall, Nelson Street, Woolwich, commenced his stated labours on the last Sabbath in June.-The Rev. J. Marshall, of Hunmanby, has resigned his charge there, and accepted an invitation from the church at Crosby, Westmoreland.-The Rev. Joseph Ashmead, of Horton College, Bradford, has received and accepted the unanimous invitation of the church meeting in the Baptist chapel, Westgate, Rotherham, to become their pastor, and commenced his stated labours there on the second Lord's day in July. THE CHURCH. "Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph. ii. 20. SEPTEMBER, 1856. THE VALUE OF TIME. FROM AN UNPUBLISHED ESSAY BY THE REV. J. FOSTER. Both a character of dignity and the interest of surprise would accom pany our considerations on the value of time, if imagination could have an expanded, though momentary view of what is done throughout the universe in the space of each day and each hour. The importance of this space is in some sense equivalent to all that is effected within it by the whole series of created agents from the meanest to the sublimest, and even to all that is performed by the operation of the Supreme Being himself. The confinement, therefore, of our faculty of observing to an indefinitely small portion of this immense agency (excepting, indeed, what we can discern in the system of the heavens) contracts proportionally our comprehension of the worth of those portions of duration, with which we may be allowed to say that all the operations in the universe are contemporary. But yet we can a little extend the sphere of our views by a strong effort to imagine the several parts in succession of that immense system of operation which prevails throughout the creation. We can endeavour to expand our contemplation to the whole order of nature as displayed on this globe, and think of the continual, though dark and silent changes in its interior regions; of the process of vege tation prevailing over millions of square leagues; of the action of all the elements in all their forms; of the movements of an infinite number of animals, each of which is a mysterious system of active powers complete within itself; and of the collective operations of mankind, an agency too wide and diversified probably, for the faculties of an angel to observe and record it in all its parts. We can then extend our thoughts to some of the other worlds, and expatiate on the possible economy of their actions, according no doubt to the analogy of what we know in our own, but at the same time with some bold and sublime variations; especially that of an agency much less corporeal, and yet much more powerful, than that of the terrestrial beings. Next we can, though very faintly indeed, form the idea of a boundless multitude of such worlds, each one thus occupied by an innumerable crowd of active beings, and perhaps all these worlds themselves performing the labour of various and immense revolutions according to the laws of a system of which the harmony is preserved amidst the movements of a complex and everlasting activity. thoughts can, finally, approach towards the contemplation of the agency of that infinite power who sustains and actuates all this system, and just perceive the grandeur of the contemplation while sinking under its magnitude. VOL. X. K Our Now this immense system of operations, which if divided into a million of parts, would in one of those single parts transcend and oppress, our faculties of contemplation, if they were a million times stronger than they are in any man, this whole system of action is going on at this very moment of time. Many of the agents within this vast economy may not have a similar mode of distinguishing duration to that we have, but they are nevertheless performing their works in the same point of duration which is now present with us, under the name of a moment or an hour. The Omnipresent Spirit perceives all but an infinite number of actions taking place together throughout the different regions of his empire. And by the end of the hour which has just now begun, a greater number of operations will have been performed, which at this moment have not been performed, than the collective sum of all that has been done in this world since its creation. The hour just now begun may be exactly the period for finishing some great plan, or concluding some great dispensation, which thousands of years or ages have been advancing to its accomplishment. This may be the very hour in which a new world shall originate, or an ancient one sink into ruins. At this hour such changes and phenomena may be displayed in some part of the universe as were never presented to the astonishment of the most ancient created minds. At this very hour the inhabitants of some remote orb may be roused by signs analogous to those which we anticipate to precede the final judgment, and in order to prepare them for such an event. This hour may somewhere begin or conclude mightier contests than Milton was able to imagine and contests producing a more stupendous result; contests in comparison of which those which shake Europe at this time are more diminutive than those of the meanest insects. At this very hour, thousands of amazing enterprises may be undertaken, and by the end of it a progress made which to us would have seemed to require ages. At this hour, wise intelligences may terminate long and patient pursuits of knowledge in such discoveries as shall give a new science to their races. At this hour, a whole race of improved and virtuous beings may be elevated to a higher station in the great system of beings. At this hour, some new mode of divine operation, some new law of nature which was not required before, may be introduced into the first trial of its action. At this hour, the most strange suspensions of regular laws may take place at the will of Him that appointed them, for the sake of commanding a solemn attention, and confirming some divine communication by miracles. At this hour, the inhabitants of the creation are most certainly performing more actions than any faculty of mind less than infinite can observe or remember. All this, and incomparably more than all this, a philosopher and a christian would delight to imagine, and all he can imagine in the widest stretch of thought is as nothing in comparison with what most certainly takes place in so vast a universe every hour, and will take place this very hour in which these faint conjectures are indulged. And though the infinitely greater proportion of operations which in the wide kingdom of the creation must be accomplished every hour do not immediately interest us, yet I think it is not enthusiastic to let them associate their importance with the period of time in which they are taking place. The hour which belongs to the labours of our duty, belongs to an infinite number of labours besides, and we shall feel it a more sacred thing by recollecting what it will accomplish though we should slight and waste it. We may thus in thought draw around us an infinite assemblage of agents, and operations, and results, all conspiring to scorn and to humble us for our indolence. It will become a mortification, and be felt a crime, to exist nearly in the condition of a clod of earth amidst this mighty system of energy; and to surrender our time to inanity will seem like a protest against the whole universe and its Author. We shall be overwhelmed to think what has been done in those hours, and days, and years that we have lost: and that probably still more is done every successive hour than has been done in any previous hour since duration began to be marked into time. We shall be unwilling to yield to the languor which, if all the operating powers everywhere should in an equal degree suffer it, would be like death throughout the creation. We shall dread the impiety of slighting or wasting a portion of time on which the Deity places all the value which he places on so much progress of his designs towards completion, and his works towards perfection, as can be accomplished within that space. THE SEPULCHRE IN THE GARDEN. BY THE REV. J. E. SARGENT. "Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand."—John xix, 41, 42, These verses contain the simple statement of a fact connected with the death of Jesus. But we need not pass it by as though it was of no interest or importance, for there are often important principles and valuable lessons underlying the commonest facts. And perhaps the simple fact of there being a sepulchre in the garden, may yield us instruction, and afford us a subject for profitable thought. Words do not stand singly and alone, conveying to us only "their dictionary meaning;" each word has its associations. That bright star, dear reader, is not a solitary gem, it is connected with its fair sisters, it is one item in God's grand system. It is but one spark in the cluster of his glory. Do we speak of an engine? the mind immediately associates with the word an idea of power. Of a railroad? travel and swiftness. Of clouds? darkness and gloom. And when we speak of a garden, it imme diately conveys to our minds the idea of home, rest, beauty, enjoyment, peace, pleasure. And this would be more especially the case in the East, where they bask in a warm and luxurious climate. But in this garden there was a sepulchre. Amidst its blooming flow. ers, the luxuriance of their colours,-the magnificence of their forms,the fragrance of their odours, all speaking of peace, joy, and gladness,there was the memorial of disgrace-sin, sorrow, death. And is it not so in the world? Joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, life and death mingle, we cannot separate one from the other. We may plant our gar.. dens, and fill them with all beauteous things,-fruits and flowers,--shrubs and trees. We may hedge them round about, make strong their walls, and bar their doors, but even then, as our eye wanders over their beauty, we shall see the sepulchre. There is something touching in looking at the well-tended grave-yard, or the flower-spangled tomb. It speaks of undying love. It tells us not only that the tender and godlike feelings of humanity exist and blossom, in spite of the biting winds of misfortune, and the wintry blasts of selfishness, but it speaks to us of man's deathless hope. He builds his tomb, adorns it with the sculptured marble, and he plants around it the blooming flower, because he possesses an intuitive consciousness of immortality. He would have a comfortable, a beautiful resting-place for his slumbering dust. And why? Because his heart feels its deathlessness. "This was a rich man's tomb. He had hewn it in a rock, and planted the garden around it. Was it not an emblem of his faith,-a material expression of his hopes? We are told he was "a good and a just man, and waited for the kingdom of God." He prepared his last earthly restingplace. He hewed out the tomb and surrounded it with magnificence and beauty, with tokens of peace and gladness. If we looked for the memorials of sadness they could not be found. Did not the flower that blossomed around that sepulchre express the feelings of his heart? "My desh shall rest in hope, and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." There perhaps he walked in the cool evening, and thought of the unseen. Called to mind the history of departed saints. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Elijah was wafted to heaven in a chariot of fire. And though he could not withdraw the curtain and gaze into the invisible world, he might feel his immortality to be certain and his salvation sure, for he hoped in God. And this is the beauty and glory of religion: it not only gives peace of conscience, and soothes all earthly sorrow with a heavenly balm, but it robs Death of his terrors, tears away his sting, and plants the flower on the grave. And why should the christian care for dying? why should he dread the taking down of his tabernacle? He has clearer light, and a purer faith than this man had. The Saviour says to him, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me shall never perish." Strong in faith, then, let him look forward to his parting hour, and sing in holy rapture, "Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast I lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there." Let him still hew out his tomb in the garden. It is somewhat remarkable that there should be such an intimate connection between the garden and the sepulchre, and man's history and hopes. They are associated with his early history and present condition, with his restoration, with his future hopes. Man's first days were spent in a garden. Every part of his body in healthy action, with a holy mind, holy feelings, holy thoughts, God lavished on him the tenderest care. It was not enough that this beautiful world was before him,-with its splendid ceiling, its blue sky, its fleecy clouds, its golden sun, its silvery amoon, its starry gems. But God planted a garden for him with his own hands, and concentrated there the beauties of the world. He had made a king. He had put in that body, made of dust and moulded from the clay, a spark of his own glorious nature. That king must have a palace, and the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, or as we might render it, a paradise in pleasure and delight. But it was not these outward beauties which constituted the happiness of paradise. There God himself held sweet communion with his child. There was no shrinking back on either side. God looked on man, and behold he was very good. Man looked up to God as his instructor, teacher, benefactor, friend. One test only of obedience was given, and that test was broken. He sinned away his mercy. How changed the scene! When God came down there was no longer a joyous welcome,-a bounding forward to meet him. For he hid himself in fear and shame, but God found out the criminal, and passed his sentence. Man heard the first tidings of death in a garden. We may plant our gardens now, and surround ourselves with beauty and fragrance, but in the midst of that garden we shall find a grave. And what more appropriate than the garden and sepulchre, to teach us the lesson we are so slow to learn and so ready to forget? "Be sure your sin will find you out." |