OUR GOD, OUR GUIDE. But do we, indeed, know and enjoy him? Are we taught to live upon him? Is he the refuge of our hearts,-the salvation in which we trust,-our strength and our song? Have we learned how to make use of him in our work, walk, and warfare? Are we coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon HIM as our beloved? Is his fruit sweet to our taste? Are we prepared to go forth and declare that we have seen and communed with him;-that he hath kissed us with the kisses of his mouth, -that "his countenance is as Lebanon, his mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether lovely?" Otherwise how can we preach him? We may indeed speak of him in words; but where will be the sweetness and power of our ministry, if CHRIST be not formed in our hearts the hope of glory? You will bear with me, brethren, if I put you in mind of the necessity of having CHRIST the substance of our experience, in order to his being the successful doctrine of our preaching. May we not trace the luke-warmness, and barrenness of the churches, in most instances, to the baneful influence of an inexperienced ministry? Do we not generally see that those who enjoy most of the power of CHRIST within them, are the most powerful in their ministrations, and the most fruitful blessings of Zion? And have we not seen the contrary? Most seriously and solemnly do I apprehend that GOD is withering the professing church to a very wide extent, by giving it up to prophets and pastors whom he hath not sanctified, and who can only tell of what they have heard, instead of being OUR GOD, 5 witnesses for CHRIST and his truth from the heart. I would not depreciate the gifts of genius and literature; but I fear that intellectual talent, and the accomplishment of human learning, are sometimes put in the place of the SPIRIT'S teaching; and then we have mere babblers of words and doctrines; not holy men of GOD, full of light and power by the HOLY GHOST. These things should give us concern; and if we be rightly affected by them, our public labours will be preceded by great searchings of heart, and prayer that we may enjoy a living interest in the truths and message which we deliver. But while I suggest these hints in the hope that GOD may make them his own words, my chief design is to put my esteemed brethren and the churches in remembrance of THE GREAT SUBJECT OF THE GOSPEL MINISTRY; and in doing so my aim will be to give a glimpse of the REDEEMER'S glory, for the edification and joy of faith. "The testimony of JESUS is the spirit of prophecy.' Divest the ministry of this peculiarity, and you rob it of its gloryyou extract from it its saving efficacy, "WHOM WE PREACH," and not another: not doctrines and morals, of which he is not the spirit and substance, but "THE CHRIST OF GOD." I cannot tell all that is implied in this attestation; but I shall seek to shew that to preach CHRIST is to proclaim the mystery of his person, the pre-eminence of his character, the completeness of his salvation, and the efficacy of his offices. (To be continued.) OUR GUIDE. BY W. ABBOTT.-BLUNHAM. "For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our Guide even unto death."Ps. xlviii, 14. CHRISTIANS have many opportunities of bearing their testimony to the value of the scriptures. The psalmist is a good example of this, and persons conversant with his writings are induced to join him in his grateful testimony. To the writer of this article, this verse has been very precious in seasons of great and painful changes; and he still clings to it, hoping that it may follow him with blessings in all his future This implies our inability to guide ourselves. We are strangers to the way, and weak to walk in it. It is not only a strange way, but also difficult and dangerous. It is like walking in a strange road in a dark night, and continually exposed to evils. But even when daylight the way is rough, or uphill, or unpleasant and tedious. We need a guide to show us the way, and to help us along it. It shows God's affectionate care over us. There is much comfort in the thought that God will guide us. He has before him the map of our pilgrimage; the way from beginning to end, though hidden from us, is all open to him. He knows the way that is best for us; and he kindly grants his guidance. He takes a fatherly interest in our welfare. He commands and invites us to consult him; and it is much to our advantage to do so. "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy steps." My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." 66 We have here the certainty of our preservation in the way, and also of our arrival at home. "He will guide us He will guide us even unto death. He will guide us all through life, and that is much. He will not leave you a step of the way; but will give you strength equal to your day, and grace according to your needs. Thus he helps you to live a life of faith and hope, and so of gratitude for mercies given, of patience under trials, and of joy in the expectation of heaven. He will guide unto death, and through death; and that is more than guidance through life. It means that he will guide us to the end of death-through all its pains, weakness, fears, and conflicts, to victory and to triumph. Beyond death we shall not need a guide; because we shall then have reached our home, and, there, shall be safe and happy. Having reached our home, we shall review the way of his guidance, and see how wise, kind, and faithful, he has been to us in all the circumstances of our journey. So shall we join with all the happy pilgrim band-"Songs of praises we will ever give to thee." II. The Divine relationship is a source of prospective and perpetual blessedness. "This God is our God for ever and ever." In these words we find a sufficiency for time, and for eternity. God with us now; God with us for ever! It is a relationship that remains unbroken. His guidance is temporary,-SO long as circumstances require it; his relationship is permanent-it is for ever. Our Guide unto death; Our God for ever. Earthly relationships are every moment liable to be broken. Death severs the tenderest ties-the wife from the husband -the husband from the wife; the parents from the children-the children from the parents. But death has no power over this relationship cannot touch it--our God in life; our God in death; our God for ever. The full realisation of this relationship will be in heaven. We are now the people "HAVE ME DR. FRANKLIN is said to have had a servant who was never in the wrong! At length the doctor's patience was exhausted, of God; and God is now our God. He now loves us, and we now rejoice in that love, but, as we meet him in heaven, so shall we know that love more clearly, fully, and blessedly. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." This relationship, which, in its heavenly manifestation, is so sweet, is for ever. Heaven is everlasting life, springing from everlasting love. Our bright aud happy seasons here are short and uncertain; but in heaven, the sweet and the bright, the joy and the glory, are for ever. We go to heaven to stay for ever, and there to be for ever happy. None who enter heaven wish to return, for they are at home there-a home of perfect love and joy-and that will continue for ever. III. For those precious views of God as our God and Guide, we are indebted to his grace in Christ Jesus. All This must be the cause of interest in him. If he is our God, it is because he is a gracious God, and has shown his grace to us. His grace gives this privilege to the undeserving, and therefore we share it. the interest man had in God, he lost by sin, and therefore our present interest in him is the result of his rich grace, shewn to us through the mediation of Jesus Christ. "But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who were sometime afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ." In him we are redeemed, pardoned, adopted, and made happy. "Accepted in the beloved." By his grace enlightening us, we come to the knowledge of our interest in him. Thus we know God, and the love wherewith he has loved us; we see it in the gift of his Son, in the fulness of blessing treasured up in him, and in the position reserved for us in heaven. It is sweet to know God by his Gospel, by his Spirit, and by his love shed abroad in our hearts. It is sweet to know him as our Father in heaven, whose presence is with us on earth; and who is to us here, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, and who "is not ashamed to be called our God, for he hath provided for us a city." "Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." EXCUSED." and he said, "My friend, you and I must part. I never knew a man who was good at making excuses, good at any thing else.” MEDITATIONS ON SOLOMON'S SONG. And who that has been conversant with the development of men's minds in regard to religious duties, will not see the propriety of Franklin's remark? There are those who cannot be approached in the way of enforcing any serious religious obligation, but they are prepared for you. They are guarded as by a flaming sword that turns every way, and effectually prevents every successful assault. It is a matter of melancholy curiosity to witness the sagacity and skill with which almost every form of religious obligation is prevented from gaining any hold upon the heart. A man is angry; but it is "honest and rational indignation at what is wrong." He is covetous; but he is "careful" and "prudent," that he may "provide for his own house," and be able to aid more worthy objects than any he has yet seen. He is extravagant; but his "station in life requires it." He is slothful; but he is "a poor weak creature," and "active exertion would injure his health." He neglects his family; but some noble enterprise or philanthrophic labor calls him away." So every selfdenying duty of religion, in its turn, knocks in vain at the door of his heart. He must be "excused." 66 There is a constant process of self deception. The man who is armed at every point with an excuse, is the very man who will toss all these pretences to the winds whenever his own heart is deeply interested and engaged in any worldly project. Anger is easily enough suppressed by the influence of any supposed earthly interest. The covetous in the cause of Christ are frequently found among the most lavish in dress, equipage, or any other fleshly gratification. The slothful in spiritual business generally allow nothing to deter them in the pursuit of their worldly concerns, or the gratifications of convivial society and friendship. He who cannot speak of Christ to a friend or neighbour through diffidence, modesty, or carnality of mind, can utter himself fluently and boldly when any worldly interest presses him! He who cannot pray because he has no gift, can engage in any of the forms of social intercourse with facility and pleasure. He The self-excuser is a self-deceiver. is inflicting injury on his own soul by all his attempts to evade the transitory inconvenience which religious duty imposes. He weakens his own moral power. He reduces himself to miserable impotency in the church of God. If he is good at excuses, he is "good for nothing else." Meditations on Solomon's Song. BY T. W. MEDHURST.-GLASGOW. CV-JESUS CONQUERED. "Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me."-SONG vi, 5. First Clause. JESUS, in amazing, matchless condescension, permits himself to be " overcome by the faith and love of his church! He is conquered by the depth of his bride's affections, and by the intensity of her love! The Lord is under a blessed necessity to yield to the entreaties of his people; for he has been pleased to bind himself by his own faithful promises. The angel of Jehovah when wrestling with Jacob, said, "Let me go;" but Jacob said, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me.' Thus Jacob, as a prince, had power with God, and prevailed. And so it is now; every wrestling Jacob shall be a prevailing Israel. Jehovah said unto Moses, "Let me alone; but Moses persevered and overcame. The two disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus "constrained" Jesus to abide with them, and he yielded. What blessed results are these that follow, when our" eyes" are steadfastly fixed, "looking unto Jesus!" Alas! how much we lose, because we spend so much time looking into our own hearts. The church, "terrible as an army with banners," not only overcomes her enemies, but even Jesus Christ himself, as she fixes her eyes on Him alone. They must conquer who say with David, "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord." "Turn off "Thine eyes," Christian, from all but Christ "Thine eyes" of understanding and of faith; "Turn" them to view thy Lord, and let them rove (JOSEPH IRONS,-slightly altered.) One believing look at Jesus is sufficient to procure the eternal salvation of the sinner. There is life in a look at the Crucified One. May God the Holy Spirit, by the power of his invincible grace, enable all my readers to look and live, 8 REPLY TO QUERY. Reply to Query. BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. THE query in the December number of the baptism, not in the name of Father, Son, Spiritual Correspondence. LETTER XI.-FROM MY DEAR SISTER IN THE LORD, Grace, mercy, and peace be with you from the Lord Jesus Christ-the fulness prepared to fill all in all, through MR. JOHN STEVENS. the unction of the Spirit, our witness and seal. We are honoured to live under a government which infinite Wisdom directs, and immutable mercy presides, and every SUFFOLK AND NORFOLK ASSOCIATION OF BAPTIST CHURCHES. best thing is proffered and adapted to our advantage. If our allowance be diminished or altered, it is only because our best interest requires it should be so: nor is there any blind conjecture in the appointments and assignments of our Lord. His means are excellent, his reasons are wise, his intention is merciful, and his ends are secured. He attends to our case, and nothing is done but what his great lovingkindness approves. Can anything hurt us ultimately that flows from infinite wisdom and holy love? Impossible! He cannot but do right, and right can bring no wrong to us. He is the Rock-his work is perfect-a God of truth-and without iniquity-just and right is he. Our faith is required to act upon the admission of his character, and to give him credit for exemplifying that character in all his dealings with us. In all his ways, I say, for he is not like finite and faulty man, who sometimes acts wisely and sometimes foolishly. His plans are always the result of infinite perfection, not only in redeeming his chosen, but in communing with them. He hideth not his glory from a saint; but with the same ends in view, that he had in view in electing him to salvation through the death of the cross. If, like the skilful physician he denies us for a while the enjoyments we have been accustomed to receive, it is for our health's sake. So that he and we are still agreed in regard to the good sought to be realized, only we differ at times in the means by which we are pursuing that good. We like the light to shine fully into our apartments-ho draws the curtain, and says we cannot bear it with advantage just at this time. We wish to be exhilarated-he sees it most to our souls' health that we should be lowered for a time. It is thus that we are mortified in being sanctified, and reduced to be increased. I know not how to conceive of his hiding his face from us, at any time, without supposing that for him to have done otherwise, would have been unwise, unkind, and disadvantageous to us. For us his love is endless, and his know 9 ledge infinite, and his power the same; what could hinder him from performing his will? We must, therefore, believe that we enjoy as much as we are capable of enjoying consistently with his attributes and our circumstances; we being what and where we are. And if he be glorified, we should be satisfied; and if his glory be promoted in us and by our sufferings, we cannot doubt but our best interest will also be advanced. Can we not suffer loss for his name, and be willing to have our own happiness promoted by infinite wisdom and grace? I hope we can; patience is a noble grace, and by its being duly exercised, we shall reap the harvest of matured experience (Rom. v, 3-5.) The Lord has highly favoured you, nor have you any reason to complain of him, nor will you have any. I am sorely tried; often through confinement of spirit; but through endless mercy, I am never left to doubtfully question my title to the inheritance. My pocket money is very short at times, but my heritage is sure. I am apt to be pensive when I see not his presence, but I wish to avoid all sinful disquietude he is my father, and best knows how to treat me for my final profit. I hope ere long to hear that your harp is taken down from the willow, and tuned to the praise of immutable love and eternal Redemption. Carry a : handful of promise into the Court of Mercy, through the vail that was rent on the ransom-day, and apply by the Chief Advocate to the King Eternal, and you will not lose your time-your cause will be taken up in order and settled satisfactorily. Wait patiently, and you will be treated mercifully, and admitted to the Banqueting House under the love-banner, and constrained to sing, "He has done all things well," to a new tune, with acceptable melody. Your affectionate Pastor, P.S.-I had expected to see you at Brentford, but I suppose the wilderness had shut you in. God will surely visit you. Farewell in Him who is. History of the Suffolk and Norfolk Association of Baptist Churches. (Continued from page 272, vol. xxxiv.) Ar the meetings of 1840 the churches at Little Stonham and Framlingham withdrew, while those at Aldringham and Earl Soham were received into union. The sum of £52 was dispensed for the relief of the poorer churches. The Association had |