many the gospel is no provision of either redemption or grace, how does it appear that the gospel is to them good tidings of great joy. Luke ii, 10. If God beseeches all men to be reconciled (2 Cor. v, 20), when for many he has not provided the means of reconciliation, how does the divine love appear which the invitations of the gospel are supposed to express ? OUR COLLEGE. To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. X. DEAR SIR,-I have often thought that occasional correspondence in the Magazine, bearing on the internal discipline and connexional responsibilities of the churches, would be useful and interesting to your readers. The perusal of the first article in your last month's issue, caught this floating idea in my brain, and with your permission, Mr. Editor, I will endeavour to give it shape and expression. My theme is "Our College." With me it is a settled maxim, that the connexional bond involves an obligation to support the institutions of the body. As a member of the G. B. denomination, I consider myself morally bound, first, to aid and patronise our Missions, our College, and our Magazine; and secondly, to enlarge the sphere of my charities and efforts as piety, generosity, or prudence may dictate. This position is grounded on an assumption which I presume none of your readers will dispute, namely, that our churches, in their individual and associative capacity, embody principles and uphold agencies which are adapted to bless man for both worlds. It would seem that many of the professed moral regenerators of these days speak and act as though they were wiser than he who is declared to be the wisdom of God. I very well remember the Divine Master once said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;" but the would-be teachers and guides of modern philanthropy pretend that they have found out a more excellent way to remedy the world's woes. To such misguided enthusiasts we say in the trenchant words of Scripture, "Jesus we know, and Paul we know, but who are ye?” Yes; it is still emphatically true, that it pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe: that is, to transform their moral nature, to sanctify their intellect, and to start them on the dignified course of a blissful immortality. The christian ministry is then a divine institution. Penetrated with this thought the fathers and founders of the New Connexion established a Seminary for the education and training of pious young men of promising talents, in order to qualify them more fully for the pastoral office. This is the grand object of the College now located at Nottingham. May it not be fairly asked therefore, Are we, as churches, giving that support to our School of the Prophets which it demands at our hands? What are the facts of the case? I have now lying before me the "Minutes" and the Academy Report for 1856-7. In the former there is a list of 157 churches. In the latter 57 only appear! Is not this a humiliating fact? Brethren of the non-contributing churches, ought these things to remain so? Are not some of you enjoying the ministry of men whose preparatory studies were conducted at the Academy? Is it not a fact that you secure the services of our best educated and most popular ministers for your anniversaries? Is there a single church among you that does not, either directly or indirectly, reap some benefit from our educated ministry? Has not the College indisputable claims to your warmest sympathies and most cordial support? Dear brethren, in the name of reason, justice, and religion, I call upon you to vindicate your honour, and hasten to swell the noble 57 to 100 at least, ere the current financial year shall close! I am persuaded, Mr. Editor, that there is a sufficient amount of right feeling in our churches on this vital question, were the appropriate means wisely employed to call it forth. May I be allowed to suggest the following? Can any further expedient be adopted by the Committee to awaken and perpetuate a deeper and more wide-spread interest in the Academy? We in remote parts of Correspondence. CALVINISTIC THEOLOGY. To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. EXTRACTS FROM THE CONFESSION OF FAITH OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY. THERE is but one only living and true God, who is . most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin.-ch. ii, 1. Our first parents being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity.-ch. ii, 1, 3. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant (ot works), the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: whereby He freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.-ch. vii, 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.-ch. iii, 3. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.―ch. iii, 5. Wherefore, they who are elected being fallen in Adam, are redeemed in Christ; Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, but the elect only.—ch. iii, 6. The rest of mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.— ch. iii, 7. The Confession of Faith adopted by the assembly of Baptist ministers and messengers who met in London in 1689, asserts the same doctrines of the imputation of the guilt of Adam's sin to all his posterity, unconditional election, the redemption of the elect alone, and that "others are left to act in their sin to their condemnation, to the praise of God's glorious justice."* If God impute the guilt of Adam's sin to all his posterity, but extends the redemption in Christ to the elect alone, how does it appear that his tender mercies are over all his works? If God requires all men to believe upon pain of eternal condemnation, when for [*We doubt not that many who, in our day, are denominated Calvinists, would object to the above statement of doctrine. Our correspondent opines that many of our readers do not know what Calvinism is." The great bulk of our brethren of the other denomination, as well as of the Congregationalist body, would object to receive the assembly's catechism, or the old confessions, as correct expressions of their faith. Whether there be logical consistency or not in their theory, we apprehend that it is in general that which we once heard the late Rev. Robert Hall give utterance to,-“I count myself a Calvinist, but I believe in general redemption."-ED.] many the gospel is no provision of either redemption or grace, how does it appear that the gospel is to them good tidings of great joy. Luke ii, 10. If God beseeches all men to be reconciled (2 Cor. v, 20), when for many he has not provided the means of reconciliation, how does the divine love appear which the invitations of the gospel are supposed to express ? OUR COLLEGE. To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. X. DEAR SIR, I have often thought that occasional correspondence in the Magazine, bearing on the internal discipline and connexional responsibilities of the churches, would be useful and interesting to your readers. The perusal of the first article in your last month's issue, caught this floating idea in my brain, and with your permission, Mr. Editor, I will endeavour to give it shape and expression. My theme is "Our College." With me it is a settled maxim, that the connexional bond involves an obligation to support the institutions of the body. As a member of the G. B. denomination, I consider myself morally bound, first, to aid and patronise our Missions, our College, and our Magazine; and secondly, to enlarge the sphere of my charities and efforts as piety, generosity, or prudence may dictate. This position is grounded on an assumption which I presume none of your readers will dispute, namely, that our churches, in their individual and associative capacity, embody principles and uphold agencies which are adapted to bless man for both worlds. It would seem that many of the professed moral regenerators of these days speak and act as though they were wiser than he who is declared to be the wisdom of God. I very well remember the Divine Master once said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;" but the would-be teachers and guides of modern philanthropy pretend that they have found out a more excellent way to remedy the world's woes. To such misguided enthusiasts we say in the trenchant words of Scripture, "Jesus we know, and Paul we know, but who are ye?" Yes; it is still emphatically true, that it pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe: that is, to transform their moral nature, to sanctify their intellect, and to start them on the dignified course of a blissful immortality. The christian ministry is then a divine institution. Penetrated with this thought the fathers and founders of the New Connexion established a Seminary for the education and training of pious young men of promising talents, in order to qualify them more fully for the pastoral office. This is the grand object of the College now located at Nottingham. May it not be fairly asked therefore, Are we, as churches, giving that support to our School of the Prophets which it demands at our hands? What are the facts of the case? I have now lying before me the "Minutes" and the Academy Report for 1856-7. In the former there is a list of 157 churches. In the latter 57 only appear! Is not this a humiliating fact? Brethren of the non-contributing churches, ought these things to remain so? Are not some of you enjoying the ministry of men whose preparatory studies were conducted at the Academy? Is it not a fact that you secure the services of our best educated and most popular ministers for your anniversaries? Is there a single church among you that does not, either directly or indirectly, reap some benefit from our educated ministry? Has not the College indisputable claims to your warmest sympathies and most cordial support? Dear brethren, in the name of reason, justice, and religion, I call upon you to vindicate your honour, and hasten to swell the noble 57 to 100 at least, ere the current financial year shall close! I am persuaded, Mr. Editor, that there is a sufficient amount of right feeling in our churches on this vital question, were the appropriate means wisely employed to call it forth. May I be allowed to suggest the following? Can any further expedient be adopted by the Committee to awaken and perpetuate a deeper and more wide-spread interest in the Academy? We in remote parts of the connexion hear next to nothing about its affairs from one year's end to another. Might it not be advisable for the Secretary to insert a paragraph occasionally in the Magazine reporting progress? Could not the same officer forward a communication to the Secretaries of our Conferences once or twice a year? Is there any reason why the ways and means of supporting the institution should not be discussed at our Conferences? If these or any other measures could be initiated, with a view to circulate more information in reference to our Collegiate Institution, to promote a more com. prehensive recognition of its claims among the churches, to augment its resources, and thereby to cheer its recently appointed Tutors, to increase its efficiency, and render it a pre-eminent blessing to the connexion, I, for one, shall greatly rejoice. Commending these thoughts with all due respect to my brethren in the faith, I beg to remain, Mr. Editor, Yours most cordially, Heptonstall Slack, C. SPRINGTHORPE. QUERY. To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. Is the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer? If so, in what sense? And what are the proofs of this doctrine from the word of God? Obituary. S. A. WATKIN BARSBY, the subject of the following brief notice, became a member of the General Baptist church at Rothley in the year 1818, then under the pastoral care of the late Mr. Austin. Throughout his christian career, extending over a period of 38 years, his attachment to the means of grace was of a very decided character. Although somewhat warm and impetuous in spirit, which was not always productive of the happiest results, he was nevertheless candid and ingenious. In the month of September, 1856, he became incapable of work. He, however, manifested his usual interest in the house of prayer, which at that time was undergoing considerable repairs, and was present at the re-opening service. It soon became apparent that his end was drawing nigh. His hitherto strong frame now rapidly gave way under a most painful disease. His sufferings became extreme, and almost without intermission. He now evinced the fullest confidence in the wisdom and love of God; he knew in whom he had believed, and realized the all-sufficiency of the Saviour's grace, which enabled him to triumph in affliction and to ride out the storm. To him death was despoiled of its sting and the grave of its terrors. He felt that he was going home-that Christ had led the way-and that a divine hand was guiding him thither. Thus our brother passed away, exchanging earth for heaven, October 22nd, 1856, aged 61. A funeral sermon was preached by the writer to a large congregation, from Psalm cxvi. 15. May his widow and children, for whom the writer has often heard him pray, become fellow-heirs of the grace of life, and tread the same path to heaven. J. R. M. MRS. SARAH FREER having been brought to a knowledge of the truth in the year 1837, became a member of the General Baptist church at Rothley and Sileby. Having a strong memory and an inquisitive mind her knowledge of the scriptures became very considerable, and when prevented towards the latter part of her life from so frequent an attendance upon the public means of grace, by bodily infirmities and the pressing cares of a somewhat numerous family, to whose interests she was passionately devoted, furnished her with matter for frequent and profitable reflection. During her last illness, which was somewhat protracted, her mind was calm, her views clear, her reliance upon the Saviour entire, and her hopes of immortality strong. Fondly anticipating a recognition of departed saints, she departed hence December 16th, 1856. The event was improved by the writer to a crowded congregation, from Heb. xi. 16. May her widowed husband and numerous family meet her in heaven. J. R. M. JOSEPH KEIGHLY, a worthy member of the G. B. church at Allerton, exchanged time for eternity December 14th, 1856, aged 36. When young he was brought to a knowledge of the truth, and was baptized by the Rev. J. Ingham, then pastor of the church. He was a teacher in the Sabbath school, which he attended in his youth, and for some years before his death filled the office of superintendent both efficiently and to the satisfaction of his fellow teachers. His affliction was protracted and severe; and his anxieties about his soon-to-be-bereaved family at times great. But the Lord gave him strength equal to his day. He was enabled by faith and prayer, to commit them to the care of Him who is a father to the fatherless. His consolations abounded; his exhortations to all who visited him, to seek an interest in the Saviour, were affectionate and earnest; and his end was peace. May his prayers as to his family be answered. S. A. JOHN ILLINGWORTH, of Allerton, died February 23rd, 1857, aged ninety-six years. He was not only an aged man, but he was old in the service of the Re-deemer. He began to walk in the road to heaven when he was about sixteen years of age, and by the grace of God he was enabled to continue, his path being that of the just, shining more and more to the perfect day. When he commenced religion he had to go a distance of four miles to find a Baptist chapel; he went to West-gate, Bradford, then under the pastorate of Mr. Crabtree. Our departed brother was highly esteemed, not only as a young and zealous Christian, but being a good singer, he was very useful in that department of the service of the Sanctuary. He was a man of firm principle and extensive scriptural knowledge. His religion was of the primitive kind. According to his conviction and views, the doctrines held by his brethren, and taught by his pastor, were not the simplicity of the gospel, they were very Calvinistic. In order to be consistent and follow out his principles, he withdrew from the P. B. church at West gate, Bradford, and united with the G. B. church, Queen's-head, then under the pastorate of Rev. J. Taylor. He was quite at home amongst his new friends, the doctrines taught by J. Taylor were just those which were in harmony with his views of the New Testament. A deputation was sent from the church at Bradford, to converse with him about the erroneous doctrines he had embraced, and induce him to relinquish them, and to return to their communion. They asked him who had bewitched him from the truth: his reply was, "The New Testament." All their entreaties and exhortations were in vain; he continued an honourable and respected member of the church at Queenshead, until the G. B. church was formed at Allerton, in 1824. He was one of its founders. He took a deep interest in the welfare of the church to the end of his days. He gave out the hymns at the chapel from its commencement, so long as his tottering frame could walk there, which was a mile from his residence. There are many who will never forget the earnestness and pathos with which he gave them out,-he seemed to enter into the spirit of every word and sentence. As a Christian he was respected by all who knew him. To serve God was his aim, and religion was his element. He was at all times ready to give instruction and counsel to enquirers. For many years he was the leader of an experience meeting, for which he was well qualified by his scriptural knowledge and earnest piety. At the prayer meeting he was sure to be there, and also at meetings for church business, except it was impossible; in these things leaving an example worthy of imitation. For a few of the last years of his life he was feeble in body, but had his mental faculties to the last. The Repository was a source of comfort and delight to him especially when he could not go to the public means of grace. He was a thorough General Baptist, and took an interest in all that related to them. His end was not only peaceful, but triumphant. He said to the writer a day or two before he |