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of the Clergy," we have given an exract in Gospel Guide, No. 93; it hould be read and thought over.

Protestant Dissenters' Manual. London J. Paul, 1, Chapter House Court, St. Paul's. Mr. Frederic Burrow has, in the compass of a neat shilling volume, concentrated an intelligent history of Nonconformity, with a plain and pleasant guide and instructive directory, to the different features in the constitution of Dissenting churches. We should think to young ministers, especially to those who have not had many literary advantages, this work will be useful. In fact, juniors in general may get wisdom, and the elders, who never used their office well, might be improved.

The Doom of Rome. This oldfashioned sentence closes up Mr. Thomas Clark Westfield's book called "England's Past, Present, and Future," &c. There is much life and historical narrative in this pamphlet. To young men wishing to give lectures in villages, &c., Mr. Westfield's pamphlet will give plenty of material. Now books are so cheap and plentiful, it is a pity itinerants and other brethren do not endeavour more fully to equip their minds.

The Church of the Living God, is a volume containing the translation of the ancient faith of the reformed Churches, by Owen Jones, Esq.; for young students, and juniors in theology, it may be useful. It is beautifully printed, and bound by Ballantyne, of Edinburgh, and can be had at J. Paul's, Pulpit Office.

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Our national calamity in the disease and death of the cattle is viewed in a Christian light by "Gershom." gentleman of high Christian standing; and the author of a great work on the Covenants, shortly to be issued. His tract entitled The Cattle Plague can be had at Paul's for one penny.

Does He Mean me? A question for every clergyman and professed Gospel minister. This tract comes from the sweeping assertion in "The Destiny of Great Britain."

Gilead, a penny monthly, continues its honest advocacy for truth; and is growing in value and favour.

The River of Life Pilgrims, to be noticed next month.

Poetry.

THE FONT AND THE FOUNTAIN.

"It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."-Lev. xvii. 11.

OH! tell me, Shepherds, tell me how

Your sprinkling on an infant's brow,
Can make a wounded sinner whole,
Or heal the leprosy of soul?
Which ever since our parents' fall
Has been alike the lot of all.
You answer all, you cannot tell,

Yet bound by this baptismal spell,
When you have done this thing of nought,
Which ne'er on child a change has
wrought.

With "hearty thanks" you fill the air,
For his regeneration there.
But what the Font can never do,

The Fountain does for me and you;
The Blood can cleanse from every spot,
While holy water changeth not;
Not Water then, but Blood proclaim-
Not Priestly rites but Jesus' name.
Yes, spread the tidings far and wide

That Christ on Calvary has died;
And finished there what He begun

For sinners ruined and undone ;
Not leaving aught for Rome to do
Or mortal man to add thereto.
And you, poor sinners, young and old,
Who are not yet within the fold,
Because (tho' sprinkled at the Font),

The faith of Jesus yet you want:
Know that you are what erst you were;
Since none are made His members there.

But bound with chains and dead in sin,
Christ at this moment you may win,
By looking at Him where He is,
And trusting in that work of His,
Accomplish'd for us on the tree,

From sin and death to set us free.
Then far from us, far hence dismiss
Another Gospel, Lord, than this;
And bid Thy people all reject,

What maketh Christ of none effect:
By His atonement setting light
While putting value on a rite,
Which thro' the font confers a claim
On Christless souls to bear His name.
A. M. H.

"It is impossible to express the pestilence and fatal nature of it, and especially as it has prevailed over a great part of the world, to the great detriment of the Church for many ages past. Indeed, it is evidently diabolical; for, by promising justification without faith, it precipitates souls into destruction; in the next place, by representing the sacrament as the cause of justification, it envelopes the minds of men, naturally too much inclined to the earth, in gross superstition, leading them to rest in the exhibition of a corporeal object rather than in God Himself."-JOHN CALVIN.

Our Churches, Our Pastors, and Our People.

RECOLLECTIONS OF A TOUR

THROUGH QUEENSLAND.

BY JOHN BUNYAN MCCURE, OF SYDNEY. AFTER an absence of four months I have now returned to my home and my people, having travelled 3000 miles through the principal towns, &c.; and have preached, lectured, and exhibited my views over one hundred times. I have now travelled through Victoria, Tasmania, many parts of New South Wales and Queensland, 8000 miles; preaching, lecturing, and exhibiting my views frequently at the rate of twelve times in eight days.

I have been exposed to great dangers and privations; but out of them all the Lord hath delivered me, and in a most wonderful and truthful manner, He has given me strength according to my day. I have been in perils in journeyings by sea and by land, in perils of robbers, in perils by the heathens, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst, and worse than all, in perils among FALSE BRETHREN.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouths of lions, to sing the old song, "The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted."

I arrived in Brisbane after a very pleasant voyage over 500 miles, which was accomplished in about fifty hours. I was received with Christian hospitality by my good and faithful friends Mr. and Mrs. Kingsford, who were right glad to see me again. Their path-way has been through great and sore trouble; they know well what it is for the bush to burn with fire; what with that dreadful fire by which they were burnt out of house and home; and the protracted affliction of Mrs. K., for she has been and is still in the furnace of affliction; but in this they rejoice. The bush is not consumed, because the Lord is in the midst of the bush. I preached many times for our good brothers while I remained in Brisbane; from Brisbane I took steamer for Rockhampton, between 500 and 600 miles north of Brisbane. There I was well received; preached wherever doors were opened, and lectured every night in the week in that fearfully hot and dusty room. I was truly thankful when the time came for me to leave hot and dusty Hampton. I then proceeded by steamer to Gladstone, Port Curtis, which is a remarkably healthy place, it enjoys the sea breeze, and right well did I enjoy it, after the heat and dust of Rockhampton. Directly the steamer arrived the police magistrate came to me, and most kindly offered me the use of the

court-house for my lectures and views, and hoped that I would stay over Sunday and preach, and christen a number of children who had been waiting a long while for a minister to baptise them, and if I would likewise administer the Sacrament it would be a great blessing, for it was a long while since they saw or heard a minister, (there is no minister of any denomination within eighty miles of Gladstone) I promised to preach, but could have nothing to do with that Popish practice of sprinkling babies, and call it christening or baptism. On the Lord'sday I preached in the court-house, the people appeared to be very pleased; but I fear that they were more pleased because that a minister was in their midst, than with the Gospel that was proclaimed in their hearing that day. They made a collection which amounted to £1 4s.; well, you need not smile at the large amount, for I had preached a good many sermons up to this time, and that was the first collection given to me for preaching.

I then left Gladstone for Maryborough; in that town I was well received, and did very well by my lectures and views; but not one shilling for preaching. I preached for the Baptists and the Presbyterians; lectured Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings; preached at the Baptist chapel Lord's-day morning; rode horseback nine miles to preach to the men of the saw mills, on the banks of the river Mary; then rode back and preached to a crowded congregation in town in the evening. Thus I preached three times, and rode eighteen miles in a burning sun. On Monday and other evenings I worked on lecturing and exhibiting my views. While in Maryborough I experienced a most wonderful and providential deliverance. While in conversation with some friends, I felt something crawl up my leg. I put my hand up the leg of my trowsers, and knocked off my leg a large scorpion, of the large sort, and the largest ever seen in Maryborough. The scorpion in Scripture is the typical instrument of the divine wrath; it had two claws, like the claws of a lobster; it has 8-feet proceeding from its breast, a long tail, at the end of which proceeds one or two hollow stings, wherewith it squirts its venom into the part stinged; with its feet and snout it fixeth so fast on a person, that it is with difficulty plucked off. A woman was stung by one in Brisbane, and died in twenty-four hours. "Thus the Lord was my shield and help."

The fictitious power of chance,
And fortune I defy;

My life's minutest circumstance,
Is subject to His eye.

I left Maryborough by steamer, which was accomplished in fifty-five hours. I arrived

just in time to speak to the Church under the pastorate of our brother John Kingsford; the people looked at me again to see how my face was tanned and burnt with the scorching sun. Next day I left Brisbane for Ipswich, twenty-five miles, made arrangements to tarry in that town on my return from up country. Next day I left for Toowoomba, fifty miles, and a rough ride indeed it was through the bush; I arrived in safety, and was received in the kindest manner by the people of Toowoomba; there I exhibited my views, lectured every night, and preached three times on Lord's-days. The Lord was with me, and the word had free course. The pulpits of the three chapels were opened to me, Independents, Wesleyans, and Presbyterians. The Wesleyan chapel was kindly granted to me for my lectures, &c., during the week, it was a perfect success, the place was crowded by an interested and applauding audience, and thus I did well in Toowoomba.

From Toowoomba I rode horseback fifty miles across the Darling down, under a scorching sun to Warwick; thirty-five miles I rode without any refreshment, till I came to the first hotel on that road; I lost the bush track, and did not reach the hotel till past nine o'clock at night. On Lord'sday morning I preached at the Presbyterian chapel, in the evening at the Wesleyan chapel. I was ill from a cold and sore throat, was very ill and unfit for my work; but I had no time to lay up; the chapel was crowded and many could not get in. Ill as was, I was obliged to go to work on Monday, and get ready for three nights, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I spoke two hours each night and exhibited my views, and was very successful. I met several Baptists in Warwick, who said that I was the first Baptist minister they had seen or heard in Warwick, and the first time they had heard the truth preached as they love to hear it. They are hungry for the bread of life. Notwithstanding my labours and cold, on Thursday I was much better. I left Warwick for Dalrymple Creek. When within five miles of the place, and in the midst of the bush, and alone, a man came up to me, stopping me, and ordered me to dismount. He tried to get hold of my horse's head; I dared him to touch me; I was obliged to be as bold and daring as himself. I got away from him by riding back and getting into the bush of the wood. He then said he would shoot me, however I escaped, rejoicing, that "every bullet has its billet; and that I am immortal till my time comes. put up at the hotel at Dalrymple Creek, for the night; after I had partaken of some refreshment I felt strong again. Having been informed that there was one Christian man living in that place, I was very desirous to find him. While I was in conversation with him there was a man present of whom I had taken no notice; no one knew my name, I was a perfect stranger up to this time. The man present came up to me and asked, "Is not your name John Bun

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yan Mc'Cure?" I replied, "Yes." He said, "I am delighted to see you, I never expected this; I heard you preach in London eighteen years ago. I did not then see you, but I know you by your voice; and that sermon you then preached has caused me to remember you, it having been blest to my soul." He was a member at Unicorn-yard chapel, when David Denham preached there. Next day I rode to Drayton, where I had a light and easy day's work, only had to preach twice. My next journey was by the mail to Dalby, fifty miles in another direction from Toowoomba. I have nothing good to write of Dalby, therefore I will pass it by. Having finished my work in that town, I left for Jorsdaryan station, one of the largest sheep stations on the downs, or in all Queensland. While I was there they had 214,000 sheep to shear; some of the flocks have produced as high as 103 per cent. of lambs, and 46,000 sheep produced 40,000 lambs, or 87 per cent. I rode twentyfive miles to this station in the burning heat; then for two evenings I lectured and exhibited my views in the Church that they have on the station, to crowded and delighted audiences; but the heat was so frightful I did not know what to do; I was indeed in a Turkish bath. Those nights were frightful and the days likewise, no one knew how to endure the heat; the glass at 102 and 105 in the shade in a house supposed to be cool; in other houses the glass was much higher. In the sun it showed 148. Sickness was greatly on the increase, the majority of cases being fever, brought on by the excessive heat of the weather, of which many died. I was taken very ill with diarrhoea and fever. I was very ill, but no time to lay up, my work was before me. Next day I rode twenty-five miles to Toowoomba, I arrived in safety but very ill; next day being Lord's-day, I preached in the morning in the Wesleyan chapel, and in the evening in the Independent chapel. I was wonderfully helped with just strength enough. A shepherd walked in from one of the stations fifteen miles to hear the Word. Oh how he rejoiced! He said that he had not heard the truth, or a gospel sermon, for fifteen years, not since he left London. He was a member of Mr. Foreman's. Next-day, Monday, I had to get ready for three nights' hard work, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, for two hours each night I was engaged; and on Thursday night I spoke for three hours on reminiscences of my English and colonial experience. On Friday the heat was worse than ever, with a hot wind blowing like the blast from a furnace; many stronger men than myself were cut down that day, and I thought I should be cut down too, but I believe that one means of my preservation was my perseverance, I did not give way but worked on. The next day I had fifty miles to travel to Ipswich, and a rough journey, but blessed be the Lord, just as we were ready to start by mail, the weather changed; and now in the place of hot

winds, we had the refreshing cold one. O how delightful the change! I felt that my life was saved. I felt better immediately, but very, very weak. I arrived in Ipswich on Saturday night; preached in the Baptist chapel morning and evening; I was grieved to find that unholy strife reigns, they are divided, and instead of being the garden of the Lord, they are a garden of stinging nettles. Much could I say in reference to the cause at Ipswich, but is there not a cause? There is, and God will search it out. I wish that there was a good faithful and truthful minister of Jesus Christ settled at Ipswich. But then he must not want too much salary, he must wait till he can gather the scattered ones and build up the cause. I preached six sermons in Ipswich, the people said they were truly thankful, that I had been a blessing indeed to them; they gave me a collection, it amounted to £1 4s. 1d. However I did well in the school of arts with my lectures and views. While here I received a letter to return home in consequence of the illness and expected death of one of my daughters, therefore I could only stay to preach the anniversary sermons in Brisbane. Three years that day December 10th I opened the chapel, the only Particular Baptist Chapel, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, where our brother Kingsford has laboured by the grace and help of God. By the next steamer I was bound to return to Sydney. After paying all my heavy expenses of 3000 miles travelling in Queensland, I cleared by my lecture, &c., £140, which to me was a blessing indeed, but a small sum from so much labour. But oh, how cast down and disappointed I have been, in consequence of the want of true practical sympathy among those who profess to belong to the same kingdom of Christ. "We have quite as much as we can do to support our own cause, therefore we should not feel justified in giving of our money to help to pay for a chapel in another colony." It is in consesequence of this spirit, and the want of Churches of the same faith and order in the colonies to look to for help; and the silence of the Churches in England when our appeal was brought before them, when we prayed them to help us; but not one shilling have we received from them,-I say in consequence of these things, and knowing the impossibility of obtaining money by preaching sermons, I provided myself with dissolving views to illustrate my lectures, and with these I have gone forth. But oh, the labour! And worse then all my absence from my people has done no good. If my wanderings through the colonies have turned out rather for the furtherance of the Gospel in many parts of the colonies where I have gone preaching the Word of life, it has not turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel at home. Oh how I should rejoice if this dreadful debt was paid; and 1 could labour on among my own people and build up the cause of God, as an humble instrument in the hands of my Master. If

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the Churches in England had helped us as they ought to have done, they would have caused the heart of their little and despised Australian sister to rejoice; feel that they too have disowned us. I am thankful to say that I am now home, well in health, never better in my life, though I am the bush on fire-yet not consumed. I wrote to the EARTHEN VESSEL some account of my visit to Victoria and Tasmania; that letter ought to have preceded this. Why has it not? Hoping that better days are coming, I will trust and not be afraid. JOHN BUNYAN MC'CURE.

FIFTY YEARS IN THE MINISTRY.

numerous

MR. PHILIP DICKERSON'S JUBILEE. Mr. DICKERSON having completed fifty years in the ministry, this notable event was commemorated by a tea and public meeting on Tuesday last, at Little Alie street, Whitechapel; when a company of friends met together, to greet him and to wish him God-speed in his ministerial career. The meeting was in every sense worthy the occasion; many more doubtless would have been present, but the chapel was inadequate as to size, for so interesting a gathering. Tea being over, Mr. Dickerson took the chair and called on Mr. Andrew Jones, who, he said, many years ago, at his settlement, implored the Divine blessing, to perform again the like sacred duty.

Mr. Hinds, the senior deacon, then, on behalf of the church and congregation, paid a high and noble testimony to the value and esteem of their minister, which was practically testified to by a very handsome testimonial, in the shape of a purse containing £50, and a cream ewer, beautifully chased and engraved, with an inscription, stating it was given to Mr. Philip Dickerson, together with the £50, by the friends and congregation on the completion of his jubilee in the ministry. On the other side was engraved the initials of Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson. The presentation was greeted by general feelings of the warmest sympathy.

Mr. Dickerson rose to reply, but for a time his heart appeared too full for utterance. He said he was entirely taken by surprise; on the 24th of December last, at the completion of his jubilee, the day falling on a Sabbath, he made some allusion to the circumstance in the sermon. The friends then said the event must be taken further notice of, and hence that meeting. The brother who had just in the name of the people made that kind presentation had been sustained for thirty-four years among them, and was one of the few remaining of the old congregation. When he (Mr. D.) came he was not a member of the church; since he had given his time, his judgment and kindness to the duties of the deacon's office. For thirty-four years there had not been one word between the minister and deacons of misunderstanding. If they had

hard thoughts, they never thought loud enough, or if they had cold looks, he, the minister had not heard the one or seen the other. It could not be said of them as Dr. Young said, alluding to death, that the body and soul were like a parish man and wife, often having jars, but loath to part. Mr. Dickerson having most warmly thanked his friends for their kind expression of love,

Mr. Hinds said he wished to add, that they as a people received their minister with a good character, and after thirty-four years absence, the church from whence he came desired to add their mite to the testimonial which had just been made. Mr. Dickerson replied that next to salvation, the greatest blessing was to be kept unspotted from the world.

He then proceeded to give the following sketch of his life and ministerial career. He said, It pleased God to bring me into existence in a dark neighbourhood and at a dark period of our history. There was not a place where the Gospel was preached within less than four or five miles, and that was at the parish church. There was not a dissenting place of worship within the radius of five miles. It so happened under the providence of God, and by the Spirit of God, that after about seven years of age I never felt happy. There was something I wanted, I had some sense of sin and fear of death that I could not express. Still I can truly say, there were few exceptions between seven to sixteen years of age, that I knew what it was to have a happy day and without shedding tears from an apprehension of wrath to come. My case was peculiar, but when I was about sixteen, it pleased God to bring the Gospel into the village, and to the house in which I was born. My mother was the only one in that village, in spiritual things, who knew her right hand from her left. But there the good minister preached three times; it was not the first sermon nor the last, but the second which was brought home to my heart. Thus was I born twice in the same house. My eyes were opened, I saw myself in a dark place, surrounded by dark people; I had to travel five or six miles which I did alone to hear the Gospel, and often returned home rejoicing. In the year 1813, I with three or four others, met in a cottage on the heath for prayer. There were seven cottages near; some persons frequently met with us from the village about a mile off. As a proof of the darkness which prevailed, I was the only one who could read, therefore, from necessity, it devolved on me to lead the meeting. At that cottage I began to expound the Scriptures, During two years these meetings were carried on, eight persons were called by grace, four of one family, the father and mother, with two daughters. It was agreed to invite the neighbours to these meetings, which we did, except one old man, whom we did not invite, because he

said he would come drunk and disturb the meeting. But this old man came, and of all those invited, he was the only one who was called by grace; and he lived many years to bear testimony of his sincerity. In the early part of 1815, a house was opened in a neighbouring village, Newbourne, three miles distance, and I was urged to supply once a fortnight. On December 24th, 1815, I first stood up to expound the Scriptures, and a great trial it was, to stand upon a stool six inches high. From this I date my ministry, though I had no thought of speaking, but the poor people would take no denial. From that time I have continued to this day. Many came to hear the Word during the eighteen months I continued, several were converted to God, seven of whom joined the church, all of whom except one have crossed the flood to join with the redeemed. It is blessed to reflect on the results from these efforts, the church now numbers from sixty to seventy members with a Sunday School. During that eighteen months I travelled 800 miles, for which I received from the poor things 6s. In July 1817, I was called to Beccles, thirty-eight miles distant, and being too late for the coach, I walked the whole distance. Here I laboured first for two Lord's-days, then six weeks, then six months, then fifteen months, rolled round, and here I baptized my first wife. I baptized twenty-three persons, but I was not the man for Beccles, they were old Christians, I was a young one. In 1816 I received an invitation from Boston in Lincolnshire, hither I went and preached for five months, and then returned to Suffolk. As no door seemed to open, I prepared to seek and quickly obtained some secular employment. Then followed several calls; in 1819 I went to Rattisdone, where 1 continued for thirteen years. There were thirty-two members when I went, and when I left there were eighty-six, besides many removals. In one case the whole family of five children were called to love the Lord, all of whom save one, (Mr. John Cooper, of Wattisham,) are gone home. I thought I had made my rest here, but it was stirred up, and through falling off in support, the main stay being from the school, and my increasing family, I felt I must leave. About this time I received a letter from Little Alie street, from our late brother Dean, to invite me to supply for a month. January 15th 1832, I first preached in this place, and through the grace of God I havecontinued until now, with what results the great day will declare. During the thirtyfour years I have baptized 439 persons, and received by letter 175, making a total of 614. I have no doubt but the Lord called me here. During my ministry, I have baptized about 600 persons. Mr. Dickerson after alluding to the mysterious way in which he was called to Alie street, which was through the instrumentality of Mr. Foreman, concluded by expressing his deep

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