66 church in Unicorn Yard, and there he was ordained November 15th, 1720. Mr. Arnold appears to have been much respected as a preacher, and very useful for about twelve years. In addition to the interest which was felt in his ministry at his own place he also preached in the evening lectures, at Horsely-Down, Silver Street, and Devonshire Square. Crosby, the Baptist historian," who was one of his deacons, says of him, that "according to the wisdom of this world, he was a man of no learning, but his discourses were so correct that they were not inferior to the most learned of his brethren." Indeed, Crosby says, "he appeared a solid and able divine." But that in which Mr. Arnold most excelled, and on account of which we desire to perpetuate his name, is his spirituality of mind, and triumphant death. During the last two years of his life he was much afflicted, and his ministerial work much interrupted, especially after the death of Mr. Edward Wallin at Maze Pond. The Monday previous to his death, he asked his physicians with his usual cheerfulness, what they thought of him? being informed there was great danger, as soon as they were withdrawn, he lifted up his hands to heaven, and said with an air of pleasure upon his countenance: "Now I am going, I am going home, I am going to glory." Upon this he sent for his children, and took a solemn and affectionate leave of them; and with the authority of a minister, and the affection of a parent, commended to them their duty to God, to one another, and how they ought to walk in the world. The next day was held by the church as a day of humiliation and prayer on his account; when he sent them the following message, which he spoke with the utmost zeal and melting affection, though so weak as to require two persons to support im while he delivered it. "I desire," said he to one of the deacons, 66 you to be mouth for me this day to the church; give my love to them as a fellow member, as a minister of Christ, and as their pastor; tell them I am now going to my God, and their God; to my Father, and their Father. I desire them all to praise God, for the exceeding and abundant riches of his grace and mercy to me. These words, 'thy sins which are many and great are forgiven,' have been set home upon my soul with such power and joy, as almost to overset the tabernacle; they were words once to me as life from death, and now they are to me life in death. I am concerned for that little hill of Zion; some of them, I believe, are seals to my ministry, and will be my joy, and crown of rejoicing in the day of Christ. I commit them to the care of the great bishop of souls, &c. And so I take my leave of them, expecting to see them again in a little time, and I pray they may meet death with the same joy and comfort as I now do, that we may be companions again together, and so be for ever with the Lord." Then, taking leave in a very solemn manner, of his friends and brethren in the ministry, he said, "now my work is done." The next day he was all day rejoicing and longing for his dissolution. The day before he died, he was asked if his peace and comfort continued? to which he replied, "yes, without the least cloud; satan has not been suffered to interrupt it." The morning on which he died, he said to some friends, "You will be asked by the world, how I went off! you are my witnesses, that I declare with my dying breath, that my firm faith and dependence is on the blood, righteousness, and satisfaction of the Lord Jesus Christ, for my acceptance in the sight of God." He then thanked his friends for all their kindness to him, and wished in a most affectionate manner that his God might be their God, and that they might be God. The more substantial and souledifying truths of the gospel, were the subjects he wholly insisted on. Saints and sinners, babes and fathers in Christ, Sion's mourners, the poor, the afflicted, the tempted, the distressed, the young, the aged, every one in the family had his portion. He was indeed a skilful workman, who needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Nor did he labour his companions for ever. One of them observing dissolution fast approaching, said, sir, you seem very low. He answered with a kind of rapture, "Low! no, I am mounting up as fast as I can." The friend then asked if he felt any pain. He replied, "No, I bless the Lord I feel no pain, he has made my passage easy." Some of his last words were, "I am an instance of sovereign and distinguishing grace -A brand plucked out of the burning." | in vain; many converts were gathered A few minutes after this he sweetly in, who dated their first serious imfell asleep in Jesus without a sigh or pressions to a blessing of God upon his labours: the saints also found him groan. under divine agency, to be a helper of their faith, joy and consolation. May we be helped to follow such worthies, as they followed Christ, live wholly upon Christ, and when called to die, Mr. Wilson of Prescott Street, preached his funeral sermon, in which he gives him the highest character, a a man, a christian, a minister and as pastor. Appealing to the church, Mr. Wilson says, 66 I believe he has a testimony in every one of you; that with the utmost diligence, seriousness, affection and faithfulness, he has de- So prays, clared to you the whole counsel of REST. "Clasp the Saviour in our arms, Poetry. How sweet the rest which Jesus brings, When by his blood he frees from sin, And makes the conscience whole. How sweet and holy is the calm, Which then pervades the breast, When freed from Sinai's loud alarms, We on his bosom rest. When wrath and terror all subside, PHILIP DICkerson. When Jesu's love and friendship sweet, O that thou would'st thus condescend, Then will I praise thy precious name, That none shall ever be ashamed, Entelligence. UNICORN YARD CHAPEL, divine favour, a day to be remembered by the brethren associated in the gospel at this place, and not by them only. The First Anniversary of the settlement of our esteemed brother, Tuesday, November 7th, was, by Mr. W. H. Bonner, was taken ad TOOLEY STREET, SOUTHWARK. To the Editors of the Gospel Herald. MESSRS EDITORS, vantage of to attend to the RECOGNI- Conversion and experience, and of his TION of his pastorate by neighbouring ministerial call and course. This was churches and ministers. Long before listened to with profound attention, five o'clock, P. M. (the time appointed) while almost every countenance behundreds of friends had assembled. trayed the liveliest emotions working At a quarter to five the Tea Meeting within the bosom; and when he sat commenced. Up to half-past five the down, the crowded assembly, as if stream of incomers was surprising; their feelings resisted restraint, broke but from this moment so dense was out in a subdued applause. After the the crowd collected in the gateway singing of a verse lined out by brother awaiting admission to the public ser- Levermore, Mr. B. added an outline vice, that few of those who came to of his faith upon matters of doctrine tea could force their way through, and and order; he avowed himself to be, some, we are informed, returned home what he is well known to be, a in despair of effecting an entrance. thorough-going advocate of free-grace Five hundred, if not more, took Tea. principles, and of strict communion A few minutes after six, the doors practice; and declared that a departure were thrown open, and the chapel was from one or the other of these, either quickly crammed—the aisles, pulpit on the part of his charge or himself stairs, and vestry included. It is reck- should sever their connection. Mr. oned that not fewer than a thousand Foreman called first upon the members persons were under the roof, nearly of the Church present to testify by the all of whom were members and officers lifting up of hands, that upon the of sister christian churches. Besides faith of the statements just made, Mr. five or six preaching brethren, the B. was the pastor of their choice; following PASTORS were present: then upon Mr. B. to signify the like Messrs Foreman, Milner, Curtis, Dick- choice on his part; and then upon the erson, Wyard; Felton, Deptford; bishops, deacons, and members of Chas. Smith, Cumberland Street; sister churches to shew their approval Levermore, Hampstead; Box, Wool- of this union. These being cordially wich; Hammond, Town Malling; done, Mr. Thos. Jones, (formerly Mr. Hamblin, Foot's Cray; Woodard, B's. pastor in Shropshire) offered a Ilford; Cole, Brentford; Newborn, prayer of an affectionate, a weighty, Stenson, Chelsea; Meeres, Slade, and a spiritual character; and Mr. Pepper, T. Jones, Chatham; and H. Charles Smith afterwards lined out a J. Betts, Westminster. There were suitable verse, Then followed adfriends from Chatham, Deptford, Black- dresses, delivered by Mr. Milner, heath, Foot's Cray, Chelsea, Brentford, upon "The duties and rights of a Lambeth, Westminster, Soho, Camden christian pastor; by Mr. Felton, Town, Paddington, Holloway, St. upon "The duties of church members Luke's, Hoxton, Whitechapel, Shad- towards their pastors;" by Mr. P. well, Limehouse, Shoreditch, Homer- Dickerson, upon "The dangers, diffiton, Bermondsey, Camberwell, Wal-culties, and discouragements of the worth, the Borough, the City, and pastorate;" by Mr. Curtis, upon "The many other places. scriptural distinction between pastors and deacons ; and by Mr. Wyard, upon "The means of preserving the purity and peace of a church, and of promoting its prosperity." These addresses, some of them especially, were telling ones; and as the opinion prevails that it would be a pity to let them die off with the delivery of them, it is hoped that the substance of them will be given by their respective authors, through the pages of the Herald. They will be good and useful papers. The chairman made a few remarks, in his own peculiar and pleasing style, and at ten o'clock concluded with prayer. The meeting was character Mr. John Foreman occupied the chair. Mr. Woodard commenced by leading the service of praise. Mr. Hammond offered solemn prayer. The chairman made some appropriate introductory remarks, describing the meeting as a thanksgiving one and an anticipatory one. It was convened to congratulate the church meeting in this place of worship, and the brother selected for their pastor, upon the mercy granted them during the first year of the union, and also to acknowledge approvingly the relationship they have been led to form. Mr. Bonner gave a deeply interesting sketch of his ized by a happy blending of solemnity | during the last sixteen years, nearly and cheerfulness. It will be succeed- doubled itself, containing now nearly ed, it is hoped, by profit, prosperity, forty thousand inhabitants, while there and pleasure, to the pastor and people has been no addition of places where whose union was thus cordially recog- the doctrines of distinguishing grace nized. Long may they live together are maintained. We conclude this noin peace! tice with the exhortation of the apostle, "Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." This we trust is our aim, the extension of the knowledge of the glorious gospel of the ever-blessed God; and as this subject is revealed by the Holy Spirit, so our triune Jehovah will be glorified. WM. BEACH, T. M. WHITTAKER, Deacons at Unicorn Yard CARMEL CHAPEL, NEW ROAD, WOOLWICH, KENT, The above place was opened for the worship of God, on Tuesday, Oct, 31. The following ministers were enga ged on the occasion: Mr Wm. Felton, of Deptford, preached in the morning, from Psalm cxxxii, 13th and three following verses. Mr. J Wells, of London, in the afternoon, from Psalm xvii. 8; and in the evening by Mr W. H. Bonner. of London, from Philippians i. 18; each discourse was very appropriate to the occasion, and many of the redeemed and called family of God can testify with the prophet Jeremiah, when he said, "thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." This place was built about fifty years ago, and the truth has been proclaimed within its walls nearly the whole of that period; and there are many living witnesses that the Lord has blessed his truth to their souls in this chapel; but during the last few years it has fallen into the hands of the Primitive Methodists. Our prayer to God is, that he will now build this waste place, and that what is spoken of Zion may be ful. filled here, that this and that man was born in her. We trust the Lord will fulfil this most blessed declaration in our experience, and that he will beautify the place of his sanctuary, and make the place of his feet glorious; that he will send his servants amongst us from time to time, in order that they may be helped to preach Christ, and him crucified, as the only way of salvation, that our meeting place may answer to the name given to it that it may indeed prove to be, "the vineyard of God." Our opening services were well attended, and a spirit of liberality was manifested. The population of Woolwich has, The following ministers have engaged to supply the pulpit alternately (D.V.) on Tuesday evenings. Mr. J. Foreman. Mr. J. Wells. Mr. C. Smith. CROW BOROUGH, SUSSEX. On Sunday, October 1, five persons (three females and two males) were baptized by our brother Mose, and on Sunday, November 5, two more, one male, and one female, were plunged into the likeness of our Lord's death, all of whom were admitted into the church. The circumstances attendant were rather peculiar. One of the females was threatened to be turned out of doors by her husband if she was baptized; but the Lord enabled her to follow his appointment, and shewed his power to defend those who trust in him; he tamed the lion, and the poor trembling disciple has now the blessing of a good conscience and her husband still. Another female was hindered by the fears of her partner, but on this occasion she was enabled to follow the Lord, and has since found, if a man's or woman's ways please the Lord, he will make even his enemies to be at peace with them. This little church now numbers thirty-five, only one of whom, with the exception of the pastor, brother Mose, was ever in connexion with any church, but all gathered by the hand of God from the world. The church with which the one named had been connected, had become extinct. | our midst, and has given us a new occa. May our great Head make the little one a thousand. UNION CHAPEL, CUMBERLAND To the Editor of the Gospel Herald. Through the kindness and love of our ever faithful and covenant-keeping God, we have been enabled to hold on our way. The cause has been sustained; an excellent congregation has been convened from time to time; the testimony delivered by men of God, sent by him to proclaim his matchless mercy, has been attended with manifest tokens of the divine approval; and the church, after listening with much satisfaction and edification to the ministry of Mr. Charles Smith, late of New Mili, Herts. (who has been preaching the word to a large and attentive auditory since June last) has given him an almost unanimous invitation to accept the pastorate, (there being but one dissentient) to which he has kindly and affectionately responded, and commenced his pastoral exercises among us on Lord'sday, the 19th November. Four were baptized by Mr. Smith on Lord's-day evening, the 15th October, and nine were admitted to the fellowship of the church at our last breaking-bread day. When it is remembered how much of that which is humiliating is not unfrequently connected with every such movement as we have recently made, it is felt I trust by us all, that our bless. ed Lord has wrought marvellously in sion to triumph in his sovereign favour and unchanging love; while we would be found prostrating our spirits at his loving feet in adoring wonder, exclaiming, "not unto us, not unto us, but unto his dear name be all the praise and glory. With best wishes, beloved friend and brother, for you in your multiplied labours of love for the promotion of Zion's good, and earnestly praying that your own soul may experience much of the anointing from on high, I remain, yours in the best bonds, NATH. KEVAN. A VOTE OF THANKS. This is to say I duly received of Mr. Hill, of Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, October 24, 1848, Two Guineas, the amount of a private subscription of the Committee of the Home Missionary Society at Over, with whose names aud kind donations I have been favoured. While this valuable help, in such a time of need, is cause for a thousand thanks to God, it is a great reason for wishing a thousand blessings may rest on all my friends who have taken a part in this work of faith and labour of love. If you can allow this acknowledgment to appear in the next number of the Herald, it will much oblige your fellow-labourer in the gospel, THOS. ROW. Little Gransden, Near Caxton, Cambridgeshire. |