Mr. Editor, I know not an individual but myself, that purchases your Magazine any where round the spot where it has pleased my covenant God that I should dwell. I can truly say I have read it with pleasure, and, sometimes it has relieved my poor desponding mind. I shall now come to the question proposed in allusion to missionaries. Timothy very properly remarks, every minister sent of God may be considered a missionary. I hope God's people will not be silent on such an important subject. I trust they are not all like myself, poor as it respects this world's wealth. I live in a part where truth is very little known, much more felt. It is evident by Christ's commission to his apostles," Go into all the world, and preach the gospel," mark that, the gospel to every creature; "He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." O that the blessed word of God may prove to be a light to my feet, and a lamp to my path, for to that we must look; it matters not the frowns or smiles of your manufactured parsons. Take for example, the Bereans, and search the scriptures daily; never mind about ecclesiastical and natural history, &c. and learning languages. I read that a nation shall be born in a day; yes, in this gospel day; and my God is able to give such language as is necessary to declare his wonderful works. But as it respects missionaries, I feel astonished, whilst many seem so desirous to spread error around, God's servants are at such a distance in publishing the glad tidings of our exalted Lord; surely they are lukewarm. O Lord, revive thy work. "Feed my lambs," &c. was the great Redeemer's command to his tried servant. Many times do I feel my need of that food that the gospel is calculated to afford, like a sparrow upon the house-top, or like a pelican in the wilderness, and think no one cares for my soul.

Of late there has been a few with myself who have met in a house, and when we could pay the expenses of a minister, have had the precious truths of God's word spoken, which at times has been precious indeed. Can the Lord's dear people be silent at things of such great moment? surely not. I think I hear some of the more opulent say, what my hands find to do, do it with all my might, &c. Yes, dear christian brother," he that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord." And I would presume to say you can lend it no where better. I hope the Lord will bless Timothy's remarks on such an important subject, and that he will be enabled to maintain his cause, knowing assuredly in due time he shall reap if he faint not. Why should God's servants be so reluctant in the spread of the gospel. The great apostle conferred not with flesh and blood, when he was called by grace, Gal. i. 15, 16. I know in the part where the Lord has fixed my habitation, truth is much needed, error abounds all around, and men love to have it so. A free grace gospel is but little known, and experimental preaching is as little known. I do not think there is much people, but I do think there is a remnant according to the election of grace, so much so, that I think God's blessed truth needs declaring, and Christ exalted as a Prince and a VOL. XI.-No. 141.] 2 Y

Saviour, to give "repentance to Israel, and remission of sins." Methinks I hear some poor tried and tempted soul say, the little word, give, is a comfort to me. Ah, poor sinner, it is to the church of our blessed Immanuel in every age of time, but shines more with a refulgent beauty in these latter days.

Sir, I long to see the day that home missionaries might be sent to the twos and threes that the Lord has gathered together; and if they are of the Lord's gathering, the missionary, or rather the minister must come with his "thus saith the Lord," whether he be learned or unlearned. He must speak God's word to God's people.

I shall leave these few poor broken hints to God's dear children, scattered as they may be, strangers to each other, but might more be known if such a cause was more advocated, the means of God's grace more espoused; but 1 still have a desire to be submissive to the Author of all means, knowing that my covenant God is the Judge of the whole earth, and he will do right, still saying to the Lord's family, to make it a matter of prayer, for he says, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," Rom. x. 17. ; and if so, and the Lord has raised up under-shepherds, they must not be at ease in Zion. May the Lord prosper his own work, in his own time, is the earnest prayer of,

A POOR SINNER.

P. S. I shall feel obliged if any of your correspondents will have the goodness to answer the following question." Is the reprobate under the law as a duty?" If not, inform me scripturally how he is to be judged at the last day when the secrets of all hearts shall be open, and God's people hear that blessed welcome, "Come, ye blessed of my Father," &c.; and those on the left hand," Depart, ye cursed,"

&c. &c.

Your's truly,

L. G.

REMARKS ON THE "GOSPEL MAGAZINE."

A CORRESPONDENT, at least one who signs himself such, has sent us the last month's number of the Gospel Magazine, directing our attention to certain observations made therein by its Editor upon ourselves.

It may be in the recollection of our readers, that we reviewed with approbation a sermon by Mr. R. Creasey, entitled, "the Stumbling-block." This sermon was afterwards noticed by the editor of the Gospel Magazine, in our opinion unfairly charging the author with legality, &c. upon which Mr. Creasey published a letter, which we also reviewed, and observed thereupon that the Editor of the Gospel Magazine had long been accustomed to write over lightly of the preceptive part of God's word.

It would seem that the old gentleman cannot well brook this, and

his anger thereupon far from displeases us. As however contaminated the pages of his work may be now, and however waspishly his recent reviews may have been concocted, we would not cease to remember that the Gospel Magazine was once under the able editorship of Mr. Toplady, the chief bulwark against error, and a rich treasurehouse of experimental religion. Alas!" how is the gold become dim, how is the most fine gold changed!"

So insular is this worthy Editor that the wicked libel of "the paltry Magazine, named Spiritual," never would have come within his observation, but for the amazing kindness of one who signs himself Barnabas, Suffolk, a tender-hearted individual, who would not that this dagger aimed at his champions' "moral character, should remain hid from him:" he sent therefore our poor little trembling work, with an epistle somewhat lengthy, praying that our envenomed tooth might receive the severest castigations. How a tooth is castigated, we know not yet; but we may presume we shall ere long know by feeling the punishment.

A word or two on Barnabas' letter: he calls us a 66 Baptist Magazine, with the running title, Spiritual ;" and he says we puff ourselves off as being a "Reverend Doctor." May we, with all submission, ask him to point us to a single communication wherein baptism is even discussed; still less any thing by which we would seem to arrogate to ourselves any title whatsoever. But it may be that these sneers are sent out as a bait. Oh, but we are too experienced for this, Barnabas; and although contrary to the plan of the Gospel Editor, our publisher has known to a certainty our names and all about us. Barnabas shall find that the Editor of the Magazine which "is a disgrace to a schoolboy," and "absolutely devoid of all intellect," yet has discretion enough to baffle the curiosity of prying tattlers; and while he smiles at the laboured verbosity of poor Barnabas, is contented to smile without being intemperate. What a strange being is this Barnabas! He says, when "pouring out these spontaneous effusions, every nerve he possessed was roused." Poor fellow and he says, "he will never leave those revilers (and by that kind epithet he means us) until his dying breath." Never leave us ! only think! we are to be haunted with this man as long as he lives. What a happiness to feel certain that he has never yet found us.

The Editor follows on this talented letter with what are intended to be pointed observations. We are told "we write very prettily;" (Barnabas says we are a disgrace to a school) aye, and " we can preach with a face of brass, but we have interested purposes in view, money is our object." Truly then, the editing of the Spiritual Magazine ought to be abandoned by us, for we have never yet touched a shilling for our employment: aye, but then we want to captivate silly women and silly men too, and creep into widows' houses;" and "we put on long faces, and make clean the cup and platter, and have a beautiful appearance." Really, friend Editor, we ought to be Doctor, or Master of Arts at feast, to be

competent to all these things, and yet to be so absolutely void of intellect, as Barnabas describes us to be.

We take shame to ourselves in thus indulging in these remarks; but really the "foul slander exhibited," as Barnabas' letter is called, and the "repellent to the above ill accusation," as the Editor terms his paper, are unworthy serious reply. In fact, with the exception of two or three correspondents, whose papers perhaps appear the brighter from the dirtyness of surrounding pieces, this Magazine hath become so degraded, that the sooner it ceases the better. It was once said by a minister in our hearing," if I want an emetic, I need but read a number or two of the Gospel Magazine:" the saying was an improper one; but in sober sadness, the Gospel Magazine, which was once as we before hinted, one of the ornaments of our land, is now unfit to be received into a family. We do not accord with Mr. Stevens in holding the doctrine of the pre-existence of the human soul of Christ; but never, no not even to uphold a falling edifice, would we have permitted such gross and blasphemous controversy thereupon to be carried on within our pages. The writers may boast they are unanswerable, and unanswerable we trust they will ever remain; unanswerable, because unworthy of an answer, because too foul ever to be perused.

It is quite clear that our inferences, and Mr. Creasey's, from this review were the same, and that the preceptive part of scripture was slightly spoken of. It is no tbecause he has changed his mind, and given an insolated quotation of which we approve, that we should retract a truth deduced from his general arguments.

NEW CHAPEL OPENED.

THE Baptist Chapel, which has been named PROVIDENCE CHAPEL, recently erected at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was opened for divine worship, on Wednesday, September 23, 1835, when two appropriate Sermons were delivered: that in the Morning, by Mr. POYNDER, of Lockwood, from the 48th chapter of Ezekiel, and part of the 35th verse, " And the name of the city from that day shall be, the Lord is there ;" and that in the Evening, by Mr. SAMUEL TURNER, of Suuderland, from 2 Chron. ii. 6." Who am I then that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?"

FRAGMENT.

A STATE of spiritual life is not always to be known by a freedom from sin, nor by any external works of righteousness. Neither ought we to pronounce any man to be in a state of spiritual death, because he may have fallen into sin; seeing that this would be to condemn many of the most eminent scripture saints.

REVIEW.

The True Believer's Privilege, Position, and Prospect; by James Smith, Cheltenham, 12mo. pp. 16. London, E. Palmer.

IN our notice of this small Tract, it is our intention to devote greater space to it than its size may seem to merit; but, deeply embued as it is with sentiments, if such they can be called, which are now becoming daily more and more prevalent among those, whom we have been accustomed to look upon as sincere, divinelytaught ministers of Christ's gospel, we should deem it a dereliction of duty, if we did not affectionately exhort and entreat them as " brethren beloved," and at the same time warn God's children againt the unscriptural positions which they are occupying.

We take this Tract, therefore, as speaking the language of a party: we shall regard it not as the language only of our highly esteemed Cheltenham brother, but as breathing the mind of many in London, as well as in the country, who are looked up to as ministers of a free grace gospel, but who are striving, and have long been striving, and are now the more boldly striving, to soften down the reproach of the cross; to make more palatable to the carnal understanding the spiritual things of Christ's gospel, and by a midway come between the hard sayings of Calvin, and the open errors of Arminius; to publish a way to heaven which shall be less objectionable to the pride of man, by leaving him the appearance, at least, of having something to do in the matter of his salvation.

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It is a truth that we live in a dark and fearful day; nor is it the less true, because in opposition to the saying, the popular, and the gifted, and the much followed, in the extent of their liberality, are proclaiming the progressive increase of moral light; moral light, which they term the light of the gospel. It is, we repeat, a dark and fearful day, when men are burying all the landmarks of their creed, that a 66 common ground" may be shapen, upon which all may meet as brethren and for what?-that the Established Church, (which, with all its endless repetitions, and incongruities of discipline, is still to be revered by every Christian, as a national profession of belief in God, and the revelation which he hath made,) that this Church may be wrecked for its temporalities, to be within the reach of the ambitious and earthly-minded Dissenter. For this, they will make Infidels their yoke-fellows, Unitarians their sworn friends, and the Catholics companions beloved, heedless that by it all they are fulfilling up the measure of scripture prophecy, and inviting an inrush, which will overwhelm both themselves and their children.

At such a period, rather than be busying themselves in the unprofitableness of persuasion, and in shaping God's truth into an idol, which men may not refuse to bow down unto, should not all who