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spiritual regeneration, and the apostolic succession by the imposition of human hands, the succession of pastors and teachers sent forth and qualified for the work of the ministry by the calling and operation of the ever blessed Spirit. We have not as yet, I believe, anything of auricular confession broached in our Church; but yet this Roman Catholic doctrine, when divested of its abomination, and spiritually viewed and estimated, becomes a blessed doctrine indeed. I dare not, I could not, disclose the dreadful wickedness of my heart, and the mire and dirt it casts up, to the dearest friend on earth; but yet, there is One, and that One a Priest, to whom I can unbosom myself, and open my heart, and disclose its superlative evil (so far as I am enabled to know and feel it) most unreservedly. This One is the great High Priest of our profession, who is greater than my heart, and knoweth all things. He can give me absolution.

I believe the very essence of doctrinal, practical, and experimental piety, consists in daily, and ofttimes every day, coming to this "living stone," this sure foundation, well knowing if the Lord directs us to forgive seventy times seven offences in an offending brother, he will not be backward himself to put the same blessed principle into practice largely. I well know, my dear Sir, what backwardness, distrust, distance, unbelief and hardness of heart, are, and all the dreadful consequences therefrom, even to despair itself; but the blessed Lord will not leave his people: the covenant stands equally firm and sure, notwithstanding our many changes; and the whole election of grace shall attain to everlasting life. Each one shall be holpen with a little help from time to time, and each one must see that the old Adam remains the same, unimproved and incapable of improvement, so that daily we must come, as at first, with the cry "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The good Lord bless, preserve, and keep you. My wife joins me in Christian love to you.

*

I remain, very dear Sir,
Your unworthy but affectionate Brother in the Lord,

Dec. 13th, 1845.

T. J. J.

We love that expression "unimproved and incapable of improvement;" such, such is the awful nature of sin, and the extent of the fall by sin; and yet, blessed be God, the Church is saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; and by virtue of that redemption, and her union-her oneness in, with, and by Christ, is as 'pure, as comely, as acceptable to God the Father, as Christ himself! 'Tis no presumption, brethren; 'tis sterling truth, which, known and felt in the heart, instrumentally cheers, bears up, and encourages the timid Church of God during her passage through the wilderness. Not more certain is it, that the wife is one with the husband, and the husband one with the wife; the branch a part of the vine, and the vine one with the branches; the key-stone a part of the building, and the building united with, and resting upon, the keystone, than that Christ is one with the Church, and the Church one with Christ. Hence, come what will-storms, tumults, distresses-crosses, losses, vexations, and cares, the Church (notwithstanding all her tossings in her fleshly feeling) stands in Christ, safe, secure, peaceful, happy. Her language, "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me;" her cry, "Thou art my life, my light, my joy. In thee I have all and abound; and

'How can I sink with such a prop,

As bears the world, and all things up?"-ED.

DEAR SIR,

OBITUARY.

To the Editor of ine Gospel Magazine.

It is with mingled feelings of sorrow (Gen. 1. 11) and joy (Rev. xiv. 13) I send these outlines of the Lord's gracious dealings with my late aged and revered father, whose happy spirit left this clay tabernacle on Saturday, the 27th December, 1845, aged eighty-two years and seven months, to join the glorious throng who are continually before the throne, singing that ever sweet, ever new, and ever delightful song, "Worthy the Lamb that was slain and hath redeemed us to God by his blood to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing, for ever and ever. Amen."

The Lord was pleased in sovereign mercy to show my father his awful state by nature and by practice, by setting his sins before him when about eighteen years of age; and then led him to a precious Christ as the only refuge for a law-condemned and conscience-accusing sinner, sealing home to his immortal soul the effects of the complete atonement wrought out and brought in by Him when dying on Calvary's cross, giving him thereby a powerful manifestation that He had loved him with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness He had drawn him, and that he was an "heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ."

I have often heard my father relate an incident, that when the dear Lord had thus brought him to the "foot of the cross," his eldest brother* (who afterwards was brought to the knowledge of the truth, and became so "zealous for the Lord of Hosts" at Chichester) used every persuasion possible for him again to return amongst those who "served in the oldness of the letter," and offered him money if he would but forsake those with whom he took sweet counsel, and walked to the house of God with. But here also the Scripture must be fulfilled, "That where the word of a king is, there is power," for He that said to a Matthew "Follow me: and he left all and followed Christ," had so effectually wrought on my father's affection that he could no longer follow on in that path that leads to eternal destruction; for having had a new name given him he rejoiced he was found amongst those who "in the world shall have tribulation, but in Jesus solid and everlasting peace."

"Here is firm footing-here is solid rock-
All, all is sea beside."

We presume this must have been the dear old man whom, when we were about eight years of age, we once saw at Chichester. His name was Baxter; and the impression his venerable appearance and animated conversation left on the mind has never been erased. He was most remarkable for his sweet freedom in prayer, and heavenly intercourse at the throne. We have often heard it spoken of as a sweet talking to the Lord. Some might call it presumption—we call it blessed childlike freedom.-Ev.

Mr. Huntington about this time used often to preach in the villages near Guildford previous to his being called to London, and I have many times heard my father speak of the many soul-refreshing and establishing seasons the dear Lord was pleased to give him under the ministry of that man of God. They proved to be like "bread cast upon the waters, to be seen after many days;" for, as the sequel will prove, the savoury food-like the manna in the wilderness-lasted him till within sight of the heavenly Canaan.

During the whole of my father's life, although the two armies (Song vi. 13) were at times easily perceived to be existing in his mortal body, yet his diligence in business, his deportment in life, were such that even those who are enemies to the truth as it is in Jesus were constrained to say, as was said of old, "They took knowledge of him that he had been with Jesus." It pleased the Lord, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, about seven years ago, to afflict him with a slight paralytic in his head; and from that period a deafness ensued, so that he was deprived from attending the outward means of grace, nevertheless the dear Lord was pleased often to shine on his precious and immortal soul, by "showing him his power and his glory, as he had seen in days of yore in the sanctuary" (Psalm lxiii. 2). It was my father's constant practice for very many years to rise very early for reading, meditation, and prayer, and the dear Saviour was pleased to favour him with many a Bethel visit as foretastes of that immortal rest that remaineth for the children of God. The GOSPEL MAGAZINE, and other periodicals, were amongst his companions, and eagerly sought for as the month glided round; and those writings which held up Jesus as the chiefest among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely, were the delight of his soul. Nor can I omit noticing how his soul was often wafted beyond time and sense when reading those energetic and Christexalting sermons of Mr. Irons's, published in the "Thursday Penny Pulpit.'

For some few months previous to his death it was very evident the dear Lord was about to call him to himself to join the Church triumphant; and as I had daily intercourse with him I watched narrowly the state of his mind; and the sweet placidity which he exhibited to all who visited him during his illness, evinced he was firmly fixed on the "Rock of Ages." Nor was the enemy of souls allowed to shake him from his "anchor sure and steadfast, cast within the vail." It was observed by all, death had lost its sting, and that he longed to get home to enjoy that "mansion prepared for him from before the foundation of the world."

The following are a few of the expressions he used, which I noted down at the time :

October 13th he said, "It is a great mercy to be able to adopt Toplady's language,

"In his release our own we see,

And shout to view Jehovah pleased.""

Also, "I did not seek the Lord, but the Lord sought me out, or I never should have sought him.-It was the Holy Spirit that quickened me and has kept me alive ever since."

Oct. 15th. On being reminded, in his affliction, he had a God to go to, said, with much emphasis, "Yes, I know it; were it not for that, I should sink into utter despair.

Oct. 17. He spoke of the preciousness of Jesus to him, and said, "A few more rolling suns at most."

Oct. 22nd. He said, he was very weak in body, but his soul was going out after Jesus, but should like to have a more powerful manifestation of his love. It being observed to him "Then you cannot live upon frames and feelings?" he replied, "No! nothing but Christ. Jacob of old could not live upon frames and feelings-and I am like him."

Oct. 23rd. On being told of the sudden death of a neighbour, and that a person observed he was a good liver, and therefore fit to die, he exclaimed, "O what a mercy to be delivered from Satan's sieve!"

Oct. 26th. He said, "I am dead to the world-all I want is Christ." As he seemed to recover a little I thought it probable the Lord was about to continue him in the body a little longer, therefore I did not take anything down for several days; but his weakness again appearing, I commenced again.

Nov. 14th. Feeling his body so weak and cumbersome, he exclaimed, "O that my blessed Saviour would come and take me home!"

Nov. 16th. Sabbath-day. On being told that the morning subject was on regeneration, he said, he well remembered when the Lord was pleased to show him he was a regenerated child of God, how the devil let loose his dogs to bark at him; however, the Lord in mercy preserved him. Said he recollected soon after the Lord set his soul at happy liberty, Mr. Huntington coming to preach at a house in Effingham, Surrey, he took his text from Job xvi. 19. Said the subject was sent home with such power to his soul that he never lost the sweetness of it.

Nov. 27th. Expecting an unpleasant circumstance, in Providence, to take place, he said, "I was led earnestly to cry to the Lord last night that he would not allow me to be molested, but that he would be pleased to take me to himself."

Dec. 7th. He said, "I know I cannot alter my affliction, but it is my mercy to know I am in the covenant."

Dec. 9th. He said, "I am dead to the world, and am looking upward for the Lord to take me to himself."

Dec. 11th. Speaking of Mr. Huntington saying he was no more afraid of death than he was of his nightcap, he said, "It is my mercy I can adopt similar language."

Dec. 12th. On being asked how he was, he replied, "Christ's precious blood is all my stay."

Dec. 13th. He said, "O that it was the will of God for me to begin my eternal Sabbath with him to-morrow! "

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Dec. 14th. A portion of the Psalms being read to him, he said, Very beautiful! but I want to feel more of the power."

Dec. 16th. On being asked how he was, he replied, "O, I am waiting for my blessed Master to say, 'Come up hither.'

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Dec. 17th. On his aged partner (who is eighty-four years of age, and longing to depart to be with Christ) saying to him, she thought he would depart, and she should not see him go, he smiled and said, "No such good news for me."

Dec. 18th. Said he knew his Redeemer lived, and also, that the angel that redeemed him had fed him all his life long.

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Dec. 18th. Said he was still looking upward. Then you do not doubt his faithfulness? He replied with great emphasis, "No, no, I do not doubt his faithfulness."

Dec. 19th. When taking a little tea, said with great energy, "O the precious blood of Christ!" Being about to retire to rest, he said, "Another wearisome night." Was reminded of that sweet promise, "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy (not may, but) cometh in the morning." Said he knew, and longed for the morning to come and take him home to his blessed Master.

Dec. 20th. On being asked if he was in pain, he replied, "No;" and observed, "It is a great favour indeed, for we are not worthy the least favour."

Dec. 21st. Said, “O that I could hear my heavenly Father say, 'Come up hither;' then I should be in everlasting glory." It was observed, "Then you would realize your completeness in Christ." He replied, “ Yes, yes, I should.” On reading part of John's Gospel, where the dear Redeemer says, "I have manifested thy name unto the men that thou gavest me out of the world," he said, "He has manifested himself to me many times, but I want to feel more of his blessed presence."

Dec. 24th. When a portion of Scripture was read to him, he said, "I am sure I shall not be lost;" and asked for a portion to be read to him where Christ became a surety for his people.

Dec. 25th. Seeing his mouth move, and his eyes looking upward, I said to him, "You are still looking upward?" He replied, "Yes." "You are very near Zion's gates? " "Yes."

Dec. 26th. Said to him, "Your Master is dealing very gently with you." He replied, "Yes." "You will soon see him face to face." "I hope so.' "What a glorious change." "Yes."

د,

These were the last words he said to mortals; and when I saw him fall asleep in Jesus, my soul ejaculated, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be like his."

Portsmouth.

THOS. H. BAXTER.

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