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very difficult of comprehension. Any plain man may understand them, and why should not Mr. Mathews be equally plain? Ordinarily, it is enough to hear a good minister of Jesus Christ once, to know that he cordially believes in the great doctrine of atone. ment; and why, then, should it be claimed, that none should form an opinion of Mr. Mathews' doctrine, unless they have heard him "at least twelve times?" We do think, as there has been this doubt and uncertainty about the views of Mr. Mathews, that it is desirable for his own sake, and for the com. fort of his friends residing at a distance, that he should publish a clear and intelligible profession of his faith, at least in relation to this fundamental doctrine.

Taking the sermon, "Jesus a sacrifice," into our hands, we can hardly look over any page that does not contain statements either startling or obscure. For examples, let the following suffice.-"It is well worthy of notice, that for moral guilt no sacrifices were appointed;"† a statement fully shown to be unsustained by Scripture, in Mr. Briscoe's essay. Again, "The God of justice can never accept a bribe to overlook iniquity."§ This is not the view of the doctrine of atonement, either given by the Holy Scriptures, or by most evangelical christians. It is a hideous caricature of it. The fact that sinners are forgiven through Christ and his great work, is as clearly stated in the Holy Scriptures as it can be. In regard to Eph. iv. 32, it may be admitted, that in or through would have better expressed the force of the Greek preposition en, but, had it been so rendered, the meaning would be substantially the same. The mind of God is not changed by the work of Christ, as that work, and redemption through its medium, originated in the infinite love of the Father, of which it is the richest expression, while it also secures and honours his awful justice in de. livering penitent believers from punishment. Thus "God has commended his love towards us," &c. Rom. v. 8. Then we demur at the expression, that "devotedness is the great and true idea of sacrifice." A sacrifice, religiously considered, is something of fered to God. It may be a sin offering, or a thank offering; or the surrender of ourselves, or our praises to the object of worship. But to carry out the abstract idea of Mr. Mathews, so far as to say, that "Christ is a sacrifice presented by God to us," || is to violate all the approved usages of language in relation to that word. We do not believe Mr. Mathews would willingly raise in the mind of any one, an unworthy or irreverent thought of Jehovah, but this form of expression seems, at first

* Scrutator Scrutinized, p. 2. + Ser p. 6. Essay, p. 6, 7. § Ser p. 7. Do. 9, 10.

sight at least, to deify the creature, and to represent the Creator as offering homage unto him. The text quoted by Mr. M. in proof of his statement says that Christ was "delivered up for us all;" but this is very different from God's presenting Christ as a sacrifice to us.

The use of the word sacrifice, in Mr. Mathews' sense of it, is more adapted to confuse and perplex than to edify and instruct. And then the distinction attempted to be made between the divine and human natures of the Redeemer, as involved in the propositions, "As a divine person, Christ is a sacrifice presented by God to us," and "as a human person, Jesus is represented as a (or our) sacrifice to God," is so entirely destitute of support from Scripture, or devoid of meaning, that we pass it by without further notice. There are several other objectionable expressions in the sermon, which our limits compel us to pass over with the general remark, that if they were not intended to convey sentiments commonly regarded by us as erroneous, they are very ill adapted to impart truth.

We have great affection for Mr. Mathews, as an amiable, estimable, and well-meaning christian minister. We have seen no reason to consider him either as a Socinian, or a deceiver. We have read his "Remonstrance" with pleasure, as evincing, in an eminent degree, a christian spirit, and as removing from our own mind some of the clouds his sermon had created as to his views of the doctrine of the atonement; and we do hope, that while he correctly maintains that "eternal justice" and "eternal mercy were "the ground of the atonement," he will so constantly and clearly exhibit this great doctrine, that no one shall be able in future justly to impugn his creed as to the foundation of the sinner's hope. A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

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SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART., First Lord of Her Majesty's Treasury, on the present state of British Connexion with Idolatry in India and Ceylon; and particularly "The Established Government Donation" for the support of the temple of Juggernaut, in Orissa. By the REV. JAMES PEGGS, late Missionary in India, Author of "India's Cries," &c. Wilkins, Derby. pp. 56.

WHETHER Sir Robert Peel will find time or inclination to read this pamphlet, and consider the offensive and abominable facts it contains in reference to the fostering care of the British government over the hateful and polluted idolatries of the East, we know not; but it is highly desirable that the British christian public should be acquainted with them, in order that, before their

governors, before God and all the world, they should declare their abhorrence of such an odious system. That the British kings, and queens, and governors, professedly christian and protestant, should be "nursing fathers and nursing mothers" to the vilest idolatry that ever debased the human species, is an anomaly most wicked and

most ridiculous; and the pretence set up to defend it is most contemptible. We hope brother Peggs's pamphlet will be extensively circulated, and that the time may be hastened when, as the Bombay Oriental Spectator says, "our rulers will cease to be bankers and factors of idols."

OBITUARY.

Death of Keb. T. Gunning, Bownton.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-It is my pain ful duty to acquaint you with the decease of the Rev. Thomas Gunning, pastor of the first Baptist Church Downton, Wilts. Our departed brother had suffered much from bodily weakness for several months past, and also from a stubborn and painful cough. On Lord's day, Feb. 19th, whilst preaching, the violence of the cough ruptured a blood vessel on the lungs, which of course prevented his proceeding with the service. As the hemorrhage was not great there appeared no immediate danger. On the Lord's day, or the day following, the symptoms became more alarming, and on Friday, March 3rd, the spirit of our dear brother joyfully took flight to its eternal rest. His remains were interred in the General Baptist burying ground, Downton, on Wednesday, March 8th. Lyndhurst.

R. COMPTON.

ABRAM CRABTREE." HE who desires to strengthen his virtue and purify his principles, will always prefer the solid to the specious, will be more disposed to contemplate an example of the unostentatious piety which all men may obtain, than of those extraordinary achievements to which few can aspire; nor is it the mark of a superior, but rather of a vulgar and superficial taste, to consider nothing as great or excellent but that which glitters with titles, or is elevated by rank.

"When a character selected from the ordinary ranks of life is faithfully and minutely delineated, no effort is requisite to enable us to place ourselves in the same situation. We accompany the subject of the narrative with an interest undiminished by distance, unimpaired by dissimilarity of circumstances, and from the efforts by which they surmounted difficulties we derive the most useful practical lessons."

Such were the sentiments of a distinguished writer, and it is presumed the indi. vidual whose character is briefly portrayed

in the following sketch, will be found in the class of those who are thus recommended. May all who read it be excited to imitate his exemplary deportment, that their death may be equally peaceful and happy.

ABRAM CRABTREE was born at High Laithe, in the township of Heptonstall, on the 18th of January, 1819. From his childhood he was remarkable for his amenity of temper and amiable disposition; a stranger to contention, and a lover of peace. As he advanced in life he displayed a spirit that was very pleasing to his friends, and gave promise of future excellence, as a professor and a christian. He was never known to commit an immoral action, and while a mere youth he manifested a spirit and a prudence that bespoke a person of mature age. Always attentive to his business, he never associated with the giddy youth of his age; he seemed to have no taste for the amusements of worldly pleasure, and no relish for vanity or show. If at any time he was thrown into the company of the thoughtless and the trifling, he appeared completely miserable, escaped from it as soon as possible, and always reflected on it afterwards with feelings of unfeigned regret. Both in public and private he invariably spoke with great caution, and acted with remarkable circumspection. At an early age he was the subject of religious impressions, and seems to have cherished the fear of God, and to have practised private prayer for many years before he made a public profession of his faith in Christ.

From his childhood to his eighteenth year our young friend was a regular hearer at Heptonstall Slack, and was remarkable for his retiring and steady deportment. In the year 1837 he removed to Lineholm, to assist his brother in the school. At this place he became an active teacher in the Sunday-school, and continued his laudable efforts for the good of the rising race until affliction confined him at home. Soon after his arrival at Lineholm he began to attend

lost his sting, and the grave its terrors. About two hours before his departure he appeared surprisingly happy, and had joy unspeakable, and full of glory. He was interred at Slack, on the last day of October, and his death was improved at Lineholm, to an overflowing congregation, from Deut. xxxii. 29, by the writer of this article. Reader, seek to attain the wisdom from above; understand, by this affecting memorial, the uncertainty of human life, and the nearness of death; consider your latter end, and be prepared for its approach, and then the trouble of this world will be forgotten in the joys of a blissful eternity.

the experience-meetings; but a sense of his own unworthiness, and an exalted view of the christian character, led him to defer uniting with the Church for a considerable period. His friends, from the first, highly approved of him, and frequently urged him to cast in his lot amongst them. He de. liberated seriously, examined the grounds of his confidence closely, and discovering the path of duty, he hesitated no longer; but, having given himself to the Lord, he sought communion with his people, and was bap. tized at Lineholm, by Mr. Hollinrake, on the first Sabbath in August, 1841. His humble spirit and amiable disposition endeared him to his friends: he was much esteemed in the Church and neighbourhood, MR JOHN HALL was called to exchange and, indeed, by all that knew him. His time for eternity, Feb. 23rd, 1842, aged zeal, his good sense, his prudence and piety, forty-eight. He was baptized in the year led his friends to expect much from him, 1822, and united in Church fellowship with and, had his life been spared, their expecta- the friends at Hucknal Torkard, a branch of tions, in all probability, would have been Stoney Street, Nottingham. In the Spring fully realized. His character may be sum of 1833 he removed with his family to Alfremed up in a few words. He was teachable, ton, where he attached himself to the few but decided; firm, but not stupid; cheerful, friends who had recently been formed into but not light; grave, but not sad; active, a Church. During his sojourn on earth, but not busy; retiring, but not unsocial; he met with many circumstances which and, what is best of all, he was eminently pious without formality.

A little more than a year ago our friend began to be unwell, and it was feared he was consumptive. Up to this period his health had been almost uninterruptedly good, and he appeared much more likely to live long, and to die at a good old age, than any of the family. He had followed to the grave a pious mother and an amiable sister; he had attended a sick and suffering brother with all the assiduity and kindness of a brother indeed; and it was little thought that one so young, so active and so useful, would so soon be called away. But, alas! how short and uncertain is human life; we bloom and flourish for a little time, and "straight are seen no more"-" a span is all that we can boast; an inch or two of time." "We come forth like a flower, and are cut down; we flee as a shadow, and continue not."

The affliction of our young friend was long and protracted. His medical attendant pronounced him dropsical. Of this, how ever, he seemed to recover; but he was seized with spasms in his bowels, his strength rapidly declined, his appetite failed, and, being seized with a dysentry, he died October 26th, 1842, without regret on his part, but regretted by all who knew his worth. Before his death he was remarkably sup. ported. He said he had no desire to recover, felt his faith to be strong, his prospects bright, and knew that he was going to a glorious home. He had no fear; death had

Slack, March 9th. WILLIAM BUTLER.

called into exercise his faith and patience,
but under all the changing scenes of life,
he was not moved away from the hope of
the Gospel. The disease which terminated
in his dissolution, was of a most painful and
distressing character; but in him was fully
manifested the power and excellency of re-
ligion, in its adaptedness to support the
mind under the most severe afflictions. The
closing scene of life was marked by a calm-
ness and serenity of mind truly enviable.
In the various interviews which the writer
of this article had with him, he was fre-
quently reminded of the language of the
poet,-

"The chamber where the good man meets his fate
Is privileged beyond the common walk of life-
Quite on the verge of heaven."
For a season, the thought of leaving his be-
loved partner and children in this world of
woe, deeply affected him; but he was en-
abled to resign them into the hands of the
Lord, resting assured that he would provide
for them. During his painful affliction,
he was favoured with peculiar manifestations
of the divine presence, derived much com-
fort and support from the precious promises
of the Gospel, expressed an unshaken con-
fidence in the blood of atonement, and pos-
sessed an animating prospect of future bless-
edness. On one occasion he said, "O when
I get to heaven, what a wonder I shall be."
On another occasion he said to the writer,
"Oh, I have had a delightful view of the
heavenly glory. It appears I shall get to
heaven first, and Oh, how glad shall I be

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THE YORKSHIRE CONFERENCE assembled at Birchescliff, Dec. 26th, 1842. Mr. Thomas Smith, of Staley Bridge, opened the public worship in the morning, by reading the scriptures and prayer, and Mr. R. Hardy, of Queenshead, preached from Acts. vi. 8.

2. The pastor of the Church at Brad. ford, Mr. R. Ingham, read the report of its spiritual state, which on the whole was encouraging.

3. The Treasurer for the Home Mis sion was requested to advance the amount of interest, which may be wanted by the Trustees of the chapel, Prospect Place, Bradford. The committee of management for this Home Missionary station, were desired to meet at the close of the Conference, to devise means to relieve the Home Missionary Fund from its present embarrassments.

4. A collection of £2 2s. 74d. was made in the Conference, to help the Church at Allerton in its financial difficulties.

5. The Church at Clayton, in its present destitute state, presented a petition to the Conference for an arrangement of ministerial supplies. The case was referred to the meeting of the committee at the close of the Conference.

6. An appeal to the Conference, for financial relief, was made by the Church meeting at Lineholme.

Mr. W. Crabtree suggested a plan for adoption in the Yorkshire District, to reduce the debts on the chapels. It was recommended by the meeting, that this plan be laid before the Churches, and that they report their opinion on it to the next meeting. 7. The states of the Churches, as reported by the delegates, are as follows;At Leeds, Mr J. Tunnicliffe informed the meeting, the state of religion was encourag、 ing. They have six or eight persons who offer themselves as candidates for baptism. At Bradford they were more healthy, and had a few inquirers. At Clayton they were poor, low and discouraged. The congregations at Queenshead were nearly the same. They had baptized one, and had a few inquirers. At Birchescliffe they expected to baptize a goodly number in the Spring.

Many members are removed from Heptonstall Slack to obtain employment elsewhere. They have lately baptized twenty. two, and have many inquirers in the experience meetings. The Church at Lineholme has excluded several, baptized three, and many are coming forward for fellowship. At Shore they have experienced no material change since the last meeting. The prospects at Burnley are improving. They have received four by baptism, and a few have been added to the meetings for experience.

The next Conference to be held at Allerton, on Easter Tuesday, April 18, 1843.

ORDINATIONS.

MACCLESFIELD.-On Lord's day, Feb. 26th, a series of services were held in the General Baptist Chapel, Macclesfield. In the morning there was a public baptism, and the Rev. Wm. Butler, of Heptonstall Slack, delivered the discourse from Matt. iii. 15, "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." The discourse was argumentative, impressive and convincing, and delivered with great ingenuity; after which the Rev. John Lindley, minister of the place, baptized eleven persons on a con. fession of their faith in Christ. The chapel was densely crowded, and a great number returned unable to obtain standing room at the threshhold of the door. During the whole service the congregation conducted themselves with becoming reverence. the afternoon the Rev. J. Lindley was set apart as the pastor of the Church, and the Rev. Wm. Butler commenced the service by reading the scriptures and prayer; the Rev. S. Bowen, (Independent,) delivered the introductory discourse on the condition of a christian church. As the basis of his remarks, he detached from their original connection the following words, "What mean ye by this service?" Exod. xii. 26. Mr. Butler proposed the questions to the church and minister. The Rev. T. Smith, of Staley-bridge, offered the ordination prayer, and also delivered the charge to the minister, from Col. iv. 17, " And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which

In

thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." The Rev. T. Smith opened the evening service, and the Rev. Wm. Butler delivered the charge to the Church, from Phil. ii. 29, "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in reputation." The service commenced in the morning at ten o'clock, and continued, with little interruption, until near nine in the evening. The congregations were numer. ous during the whole of the day, and paid the most profound attention, and many went home in the evening testifying from experience, it has been good for me to be there. On Lord's day, March 12, the pastor, in behalf of the Church, gave the newly baptized persons the right hand of christian fellowship, and received four others into communion. We have several candidates, and many inquirers under deep conviction. Prospects are very encouraging. The first fruits of our pastor's labours we anticipate will be followed by an abundant harvest of converted souls, for we have reason to believe that the good which has been effected is not "as a morning cloud and as the early dew, that passeth away," Hosea vi. 4. P. P.

BAPTISMS.

ARCHDEACON

LANE, LEICESTER.Twelve persons were baptized on a profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, on Sabbath-day, March 5th. An argumentative discourse was delivered on the subject of baptism in the morning, to a large and attentive audience, from, "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." In the afternoon the newly-baptized received a faithful charge, from "Be not slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience now inherit the promises." They were received into the Church by our pastor giving to each the right hand of fellowship. It was indeed a day of joy and rejoicing, a delightful season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. May he, in his infinite mercy, grant us many more such happy days. J. C.

SHEFFIELD. On the morning of newyear's day, three persons were added to us by baptism; two of them teachers in the Lord's day school. On the first Lord's day in March, five more were baptized, and in the afternoon six others, who had been previously baptized, received the right hand of fellowship. The Lord is blessing the labours of our dear pastor, sinners are converted under his ministry, and the Church is edified. COR. ATKINSON. FRIAR LANE, LEICESTER.-On Sabbath

day, March 5th, four persons were baptized in the above place of worship.

MISCELLANEOUS.

COVENTRY.-The annual Home Mis. sionary sermons this year, were preached on Lord's day, Feb. 12th, by Mr. Peggs, from, "Though thy beginning was small, thy latter end shall greatly increase;" and, "Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." In the afternoon an address was delivered to the teachers and children, and other friends who assembled, from, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come not." On the Tuesday evening a Home Missionary meeting was held, at which Mr. Franklin presided. Mr. Jerrard engaged in prayer, and Messrs. Hewlett, Watts, and Peggs, addressed the audience. An interesting report was read by Mr. Keetley. Collections, a trifle above £4. The chapel has lately been cleaned and painted, and the prospects of the cause are much more encouraging than formerly. A FRIEND.

SPECIAL SERVICES AT STOCKPORT.On Lord's-day, Feb. 19th, 1843, the Rev. T. Smith preached an interesting sermon, on the privileges and duties of christians, from Matt. v. 13, "Ye are the salt of the earth," &c. In the afternoon he gave an address to the Church and deacons, from Acts vi. 1-4; after which the Rev. T. H. Hudson administered the Lord's-supper, and in the evening preached from Luke x. 11, "Notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you;" and again on the following Monday evening he delivered a solemn and interesting address, from 1 Thes. iii. 8, "For we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." We have great reason to believe that these services will have their desired effect upon the minds of those who had the pleasure to hear them. This Church was established in 1836; yet we have greatly to lament that we are yet but few and feeble.

J. ASHTON.

THE TEACHERS of the Baptist Sabbathschool, Friar Lane, Leicester, have just erected a very neat tablet to the memory of one of their fellow-labourers, bearing the following inscription :-" Sacred to the memory of Samuel Welham Wigg, second son of the Rev. Samuel Wigg, pastor of this Church. He died the 28th of October, 1842, in the 19th year of his age. His end was peace. This Tablet was erected by the Teachers of the Sabbathschool, in affectionate remembrance of their highly esteemed friend and fellow. labourer."

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