enough, to be decked with such rich garments, such royal robes, such glorious ornaments, as is provided by the King of kings? yea, worked by His own hands, and put on me by God the eternal Spirit; and God the Father hath declared Himself well pleased with us in Him; and in the standing He hath given us in the Son of His love. Perhaps my sister will say, "Do you always live here in these green pastures?" Oh, I wish I did; but alas, I am too often sinking down to earth, and if not buried in its vanities, I am grovelling in the dust of fears, cares, and anxieties, or most closely confined in this little nutshell, self, instead of ranging about on the high mountains of Israel, and lying down in a good fold even in Christ. But I come now to talk about wicked deceitful self; I cannot say one good thing in its behalf. Fifteen years ago I could have spoken very highly of her, but now I know the truth of what holy Paul declares, that in me—that is, in my flesh-there dwelleth no good thing; and I am persuaded that it is by a painful process that the children of God learn this part of their lesson-self; and often do their souls sink at the gloomy sight, and in bitterness of soul often exclaim, "Can God ever dwell here?" But even this doleful spot is the King's highway to the glories of the heavenly world, where glory blossoms in eternal bloom. No hypocrite, no formalist ever trod on this consecrated ground, for every place is holy where God shows His glory, which ever side of their lesson it may please Him to shine whether it be to show us what we are in our vile selves, or what we are in our precious Christ, it is the same glorious sun shining on us; the same Divine Teacher teaching us, as when He is teaching the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and quite as necessary to be learnt: the one is to prepare us for the other, for we can only feel our need of a full Christ, of a free salvation, as we know and feel our utter ruin, our total helplessness, and our degradation by the fall. The blessed Spirit, who is infinite in wisdom, Almighty in power, will not attempt to fill our souls with the old wine of the kingdom, till He has in some measure emptied us of our creature excellency, strength, and complacency. He may give us a little sip by the way to strengthen us under the process, so as to enable us to press onwards; for He, bless Him, is very merciful and full of compassion, and will not lay more on us than He will enable us to bear, for He knows our feeble frame, and remembers we are but dust that is driven before the wind; He, therefore, holds the winds in His fist, and measures the waters in the sacred hollow of His hands, so that they cannot inundate our souls unknown to Him. The mighty Him, who has all power to prevent their doing us any injury, and to cause that everything shall work together for our real good and His glory: this is God's only aim in all He does or suffers to be done. Now, beloved sister, having poured out all that has been poured in, in your name I commit both it and you to His kind care. May He be pleased to read into your heart, and accomplish all His holy

will in us, and by us, and then take us to be with Him for ever. As regards my body, I rejoice to say the carriage is moving onwards, but it is something like the one you are in; it is a very slow travelling one, but it travels as fast as the good physician drives, and the mercy is great, that we know it goes not at random, however the wheels grind. To-day I have only been quite confined to my bed three years this month; but oh, beloved, what a good physician we have: He, indeed is of great value. Write soon to me; if you cannot write much, write a few lines; I shall always be glad to hear from you; and believe me to remain your loving sister in covenant bonds, that will survive the wreck of nature and the crush of worlds. Farewell, so far as respects bodily presence, till the morning of a better day; then, oh, then, our ransomed spirits will shout victory-victory through the blood of the Lamb, in unwearied strains of eternal perfection. Farewell, then, but not for ever.

Most respectfully yours in Him I love and serve,

WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?

B. P. B.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

MY DEAR BROTHER IN THE Lord,

grace

66 'The of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit," "peace be unto the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Referring you to my letter in the January Number, I would, in humble dependence on the Holy Spirit, direct your attention to the second and third points mentioned therein.

The second point was-The furnishing to the body more regular and comprehensive information of all that is being done for the "preaching of the gospel," whether the real or a yea-and-nay gospel.

Efforts in favour of real truth should most undoubtingly be known by the Lord's people, in order that they may rejoice over them and pray for them, and that they may help and encourage their brethren; yet how little is known by the body in general of what is doing in different parts of the " vineyard:" take, for example, London. What do those churches and ministers, who agree with the fundamental truths published by this Magazine, know of each other? What communion have they together? How often do they inquire of each others' welfare? May it not be said most emphatically, "They labour apart," caring not how it fares with one another? What do country churches in England

know of each other? What do they know of London churches? What do London churches know of them? What do either know of churches abroad?

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It is not so with those we condemn as preaching a yea-and-nay gospel?" They are ever zealous in supplying information to the members of their bodies. They have their town, county, and general associations and meetings. They thus encourage and help each other.

Efforts in favour of the "yea-and-nay gospel" should also be made known, in order not only to expose them, but also to oppose them. Error is frequently so cloaked up in truth, advocated in so specious a manner, and that by persons of such name and influence, that the little ones of the flock are often perplexed, if not caught by the snare. It is, therefore, necessary that some "Master in Israel" should probe the wound, and expose the corruption and poison that are under the skin, just as your correspondent has done with respect to a late publication of Mr. Philip (see February Magazine, page 65, and "Little David," with the faulty translation of" Krummacher's Elijah," page 73). Let this be done in love and meekness; it will have its effect.*

Certain persons, knowing that there are "watchmen on the walls," looking from the tower of truth, to observe the enemy's movements, would be more cautious in what they say and do. Thus much evil would be avoided.

On the other hand, may we not hope that the Lord would bless such labours to the good of his people who may have been entangled in the devil's net, enabling them to see the error of their ways? Others would be put on their guard thereby, and be enabled to avoid such efforts as do not really tend to God's glory and the exalting of his truth. They would also have the means of opposing such efforts by others more in accordance with the gospel of grace.

Having, I trust, clearly proved the value, usefulness, and I may say the necessity of such information as mentioned in my second point, the next question is, how can it be procured and furnished to the Church at large?

I think if three or four persons were to impose on themselves the task of watching the proceedings and publications of the different religious bodies, and making condensed extracts of their reports, the greater part of the object I have in view would be gained. They could also enter into a regular correspondence with friends in England, and even in other countries, by which means little would escape their observation. I have no doubt but that you would willingly give up, once a quarter, a sheet to such a report. For anything very extraordinary you would

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* A friend of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE sent to Dr. Krummacher the Number containing "Little David's" article, and the Doctor expressed his indignation" at the shameful" cutting off" practised on his writings.

never refuse a page or two in the Magazine before the quarter's sheet

came out.

Third point-More united, zealous, and extensive efforts to preach the truth at home and abroad.

1. United efforts.-Is there no arrangement to be made by which the London churches, who love the doctrines of free grace, would be able to join together in a plan for preaching the gospel in every part of the great city? Could not a deputation from each church meet and agree on a plan to divide the metropolis into districts, and appoint a certain district to each church? Let it be the business of each church to get its most suitable members, male and female, to go round with gospel tracts. They are often the means of opening the door for Scripture reading and prayer, which in their turn frequently bring persons to the house of God, and under the notice of the faithful preacher. How many of God's people, my dear brethren, are sighing and sorrowing in legal bondage? They are kept there by the chains forged for them by the preaching they hear, and the books they read. By the Lord's blessing you would be instrumental in setting the prisoner free, and of bringing him into the glorious liberty of the gospel. Is not such a blessed pleasure in prospect sufficient to induce you to make a trial of the plan I propose? It would also do good to those who went about on such a delightful errand. It would rub off some of their rust, diminish their selfishness, and expand their affections. That is a true saying of yours, dear brother, in last November Number, page 482, "I want to bask in the sunshine of a freer atmosphere; I dwell enough in the NUTSHELL of self."

The zeal of certain churches for their own ministers is most remarkable. It is not unfrequently as if the whole Church of God were included in their own congregation. I recollect, when in London some years since, a friend saying to me, that a place of worship of which we were speaking, belonged to a body of those "who thought nobody was going to heaven but themselves." It is deplorable that other Christians should have such things to say of any congregation. Not unfrequently do we hear one minister most violently condemning a brother minister because of some minor difference in views, although on the great points they perfectly agree. I remember hearing one, in my opinion a champion for the truth, call some particular views of another minister heresy, who is an equal champion for the truth, "Sirs, ye are brethren: why do ye wrong one to another?" ye fall not out by the way." It is a Spirit of unity and love we need.

66 See

2. Zealous efforts.-I think, my dear brother, that selfishness cleaves to us in a peculiar manner. It ought not, for there is enough blessing for all the redeemed family. There is an overflowing fulness in Christ, our living Head; still we are too prone to eat our morsel alone. As long as we ourselves are fed with the finest of the wheat, we think very little about those in other parts of the wilderness. We

flock on the Lord's-day to our usual places of worship. We take our accustomed seat, carefully kept for us by the pew-opener, and we hear our favourite preacher. Our souls are fed-we have gladness of heart in hearing, and we return home with our spiritual strength renewed. All most precious "wilderness mercies," greatly to be desired and prayed for; but are they not equally as precious and equally to be desired for other members of the family of God? In the moments of our enjoyment have our thoughts ever lighted on them? Is it so in the world? Look at that family sitting round the well-laden board. See their smiling faces; hear their happy voices. But hark! In the midst of so much pleasure the absent are not forgotten. One says, "I wonder where poor John is to-day-what will he have for dinner?" Another says, "I should like to know how Mary is, and whether she is well and happy." They care for one another. Should one of the family be in a distant land, how anxiously does the brother's or sister's heart speed across the distance to inquire after the welfare of the absent one! Is he on the great deep? Every gust of wind moves the heart, and fills it with fears. Is he a wanderer from home, banished from the parental roof for misconduct? With what anxiety are the father's words listened to! How eagerly will a fond sister plead for the poor prodigal! With what earnestness will the kind-hearted brother ply the mother's affections! Brethren, this is natural affection and zeal; but it puts to shame our spiritual affection and zeal. We are well fed at the gospel board; but all the family are not with us. Some are strangers to the promises-afar off from God, prodigals feeding on the husks of time and sense. Others have no food, no place of worship, no ministers. Others are on the great deep of afflictions, their souls tossed about and buffeted by the waves of poverty, sickness, fears, doubts, darkness, and temptation-billow chasing billow, and in the midst of the tempest the roaring lion goeth about seeking whom he may devour, and we care not enough about our brethren to go and see if we can help them. Is this our zeal for the Lord of Hosts ? In what way can we testify our love to Christ? It is not enough to love in word: it should be also in deed (1 John iii. 18). How can this be accomplished? Not after the manner of the Papists, in adorning churches with paintings, images, gold, and precious stones, or in endowing altars for the good of souls in purgatory. Christ careth not for silver or gold. We cannot give him, personally, our money, time, or services, for he is not here in person; but he has left us directions. A cup of cold water, given in his name, to one of his little ones, is given to him (Mark ix. 41), and we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren (1 John iii. 14). It is then in serving them, in giving to them, in helping them, in doing them good for Christ's sake, that we can show our love for Christ himself.

Hear Christ's estimation of character, "Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister (or servant); and whosoever of you