hath been the Father, Son, and Spirit, in essence and attributes; and yet the Glory-man, that stood in the love of God the Father from everlasting, never was upon men's thoughts and studies, when they girt themselves for this divine knowledge. The doctrine of the Trinity ought not to stand as men have set it; for as they have laid it, it is very remote from the evangelical revelation of God in Christ; for as such it is approachable by the believer whilst the man is an hidingplace, covering the soul as in the cleft of the rock, whilst this Glorious Majesty passes by: for we must not think to range these things in order without the "Chief Corner-stone;" nor to make Christ a chinkstone to fill up a common place; for in God's works of nature, grace, and glory, "he filleth all in all." If he be the Corner-stone, why is he not set the first stone of all? Yet Christ is never thought of as Christ, till redemption work takes place. Adam was made "in his image, after his likeness," as "Christ was the first-born of every creature" and yet we live under the gospel, as if it had been, as Joshua says, 66 on the other side of the flood." But if we are risen with Christ, should we not set our affections on things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, in that glory he had with the Father from everlasting? Thus the minister and the people perish for lack of knowledge. You may be sure that that subject or sermon will never do us any good, that is not founded upon Christ as Christ is founded upon God. It will give us no distinct knowledge or establishment in the truth, unless it hath something distinctly from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, by the blessed Comforter. The Trinity, as it is known in, by, and through Christ, is our life: and what life without communion? and what communion without the knowledge of Persons? and what knowledge without the gospel? The right preaching of the Trinity, in their Persons and operations, is the life of the churches. They would die in all their duties, wither in all their hearing, lose their best enjoyment, (which is the end of all ordinances) but by those Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, spoken of according to a right dividing of the word in every discourse; and all through Christ, our people, through grace, live. For mending the disorders, I have by grace chosen the super-lapsarian, or over-fall way, in the everlasting love of the Father to the elect in his Son Christ Jesus, whom he loved, as Mediator between God and them, before the foundation of the world. I have seen both beauty and antiquity in the Wisdom-mediator. His super-lapsarian way and constitution in the will and grace of God, as the Wisdom-mediator, was the foundation of his consequent sub-lapsarian constitution in the same will and grace as the Redemption-mediator: accordingly, I see my relation to him in the super-lapsarian settlements to be by the same grace the foundation of my sub-lapsarian relation to God to bring my person safely, by his own means, through all the ordered changes of the fall, till all he hath settled for me be made perfect in glory. I can discern, by my overfall relation, what Christ is now made of God to me in God's underfall counsels and ways, till all be swallowed up again in a full over-fall way in glory, with the Glory-man, as if the fall had never entered in, or as though I had never one lust in my heart. Oh! wondrous love of the Son of God, in becoming a Christ for us! Oh! wondrous love of the Spirit, in making good in application and execution the whole plan and design of grace, as fixed in the Glory-man, in the love of the Father from everlasting? Therefore, as Christ hath loved the church as the Father hath loved him, it is impossible that the church in the canticles should strive, as Mr. Hunt says, to express her love to him in equal strains of his love to her.-Hussey.

THE

GOSPEL STANDARD,

OR,

FEEBLE CHRISTIAN'S SUPPORT.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled."-Matt. v. 6.

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."-2 Tim. i. 9.

"The election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."-Rom. xi. 7.

"If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.-And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.-In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."-Acts viii. 37, 38; Matt. xxviii. 19.

No. 102.

JUNE, 1844.

VOL. X.

THE “OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS” IN AMERICA.

Dear Brother Gadsby,-I write a line by way of introducing Mr. Booth, a messenger from the church of God in Miammi County, State of Ohio, in North America. His having spoken among our people, I give my judgment of him as a man that fears the Lord, and that what information he gives you relative to the churches there is a truth, which I thought would be pleasing for you to hear. Hoping you are well, I remain, your affectionate brother in Christ Jesus,

Russell-Street, Bermondsey, Jan. 14, 1844.

THOMAS GUNNER.

My dear Sir,-Mr. Gunner's kind introduction will supersede the necessity of my saying much about myself; but, lest his using the term "messenger" should convey a wrong impression, I would state that my visit to England is on private business, not as a delegate from the American churches, bearing with me only a "travelling letter." The error was unintentional on Mr. G.'s part; but, as it has been common for the popularity churches in America, in carrying out schemes of carnal religion, to appeal to their brethren in England by begging deputations, I feel the more anxious to disavow a character of that kind, believing, as I do, that the "Old School Baptists" of America will never adopt such a course-at least while the Lord keeps them true to their professed principles. At the same time, I think they would be glad to enjoy a fraternal correspondence and intercourse with English churches of like faith and order, that they

F

might be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and them.

"The Lord reigns," and has a people to serve him "in all the earth." I do not refer to mere professors, but to those who, being the subjects of the same almighty, distinguishing, sovereign, free grace, "worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;" in whom "the same afflictions are accomplished in the world;" and who not only "love Him that begat, but also love all those that are begotten of him;" proving, by these "fruits," that they are all equally the objects of everlasting love, and part and parcel of the same heavenly family. Yet perhaps it is too much the case, that the people of God located in one part of the world are apt to act, and speak, and think as though themselves alone composed the household of faith, and were unmindful and unconscious that there are "brethren beloved of God" elsewhere. Whether it was so in the apostolic time, I cannot presume to decide; though it seems highly probable that the churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Rome, Spain, &c., not merely were aware of each other's existence, but had and cultivated reciprocal intercourse. It is in the hope of paving the way for such an intercourse between the churches of the living God in England and America, that I wish, through you, to introduce the latter to the knowledge of the former, not to make a fair show in the flesh, and a noise in the world, but that each may be filled with joy and thanksgiving to the Lord, by hearing of the grace of God manifested in the other.

The body of Christians of which I undeservedly am a member, is commonly known by the term "Old School Baptists," to distinguish them from those who advocate indefinite atonement, and who are called "New School Baptists." The "Old School" men are also honoured by several nicknames, as "Hard-heads," "Iron-jackets," &c., from their unflinching adherence to ancient Baptist principles, and their uncompromising hostility to modern doctrines and inventions.

Roger Williams laid the foundation of the Baptist denomination in America, about 150 years ago; and, notwithstanding severe and repeated persecutions, their principles spread, and they became one of the most numerous bodies in the country. After the Revolution, when the nation began to prosper, and the churches had increased, and were exempted from outward trials, they fell into worldliness, imbibed the sentiments of Andrew Fuller, and adopted the expedients for popularity and display which have ever marked a carnal, Arminianized church. Into this snare nearly all the churches fell, especially those in cities and towns, only a few here and there "contending for the faith once delivered to the saints;" and these, finally, were constrained to "come out from among" the corrupt Baptists, "and be separate," suffering loss of property, and being "evil spoken of everywhere." They were few in number, generally poor, and much scattered; and, as may be readily supposed, their ministers were still fewer and farther between. They still remain in nearly the same condition, comparatively to the new party; but there are indubitable evidences, from time to time, that the Lord is mindful

of them, exhibiting his sovereign grace in converting sinners, restoring wanderers, and raising up young Timothys to supply the place of the aged Pauls whom he is pleased to remove from the church below.

I speak particularly of the "Old School Baptists" in the State of Ohio, who, I think, may be considered as fairly representing those throughout the United States, as to condition and circumstances. In that State there are nine associations; i.e., the Miami, the Muskingum, the Scioto, the Mad-river, the Greenville, the Sandusky, the Newmarket, the Clover, and a recently-formed one, whose name I forget; to one or the other of which every church is attached. I send you the last minutes of the Mad-river Association, which held its anni versary a fortnight before I left home. You will see that it embraces seventeen churches and three hundred and fifty-eight members, including seven ordained ministers and six licentiates. Only one of those ministers (S. Williams) is devoted wholly to the ministry; another (J. Morris) is very aged, as is also one of the licentiates; all the rest have to labour (generally in farming) for their living. As the licentiates have no ministerial charge, the actual number of efficient ministers is only six; each of whom has the care of three or four churches, often from ten to thirty miles distant from his home, besides making frequent preaching journeys through the country, sometimes extensive; during which he generally preaches every day, once or twice. The churches meet statedly once a month (so arranged as to suit the preachers), transacting business (after preaching) on Saturday, and attending public worship twice on Lord's day. At any of their meetings, should a visiting minister be present, he is expected to speak as well as the pastor; so that it is not uncommon to have two sermons in succession. Of the above associations, the Muskingum is three times as large, the Miami and Scioto twice as large, all the rest not half as large, as the Mad-river. The Miami, Muskingum, and Scioto, are better supplied with ministers than the Mad-river Association; the others not so well.

Most of the "Old School Baptists" are quite plain-taught men, and so are their ministers. They are often objects of contemptuous remark by the "New School" men, who consider a college education essential to make an efficient preacher of the gospel. Our brethren are far less favoured with outward privileges than English Christians, being frequently without the public ministration of the word, and very deficient in books of sterling character. Here and there a tract of Huntington's, &c., is met with; but most of the precious works common in this country they know nothing of. In New York State, two "Old School" periodicals are published; one entitled, "The Signs of the Times;" and the other, "The Christian Doctrinal Advocate, and Spiritual Monitor." With the editor of this last (Elder D. E. Jewett) I have the privilege of personal acquaintance. He is a most excellent Christian, a good scholar, and a decided champion for special, sovereign grace experienced in the heart; withal, suffering much from carnal professors and pecuniary embarrassments. He

would be highly pleased, if the Gospel Standard could be forwarded to him as published.

With regard to the doctrinal sentiments of the "Old School Baptists" of America, they "contend earnestly" for particular, unconditional election, man's total depravity and helplessness, particular redemption, effectual calling by sovereign grace, justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ, the final perseverance of the saints, &c. &c. A personal experience of these doctrines in the heart, by the teaching of the Spirit, they deem essential. Any profession of religion, however fair, which falls short of this, they consider the work of nature, and not of grace. They also strenuously maintain believer's baptism by immersion only, strict communion, the Bible the only rule of faith and practice, &c. They reject all the so-called benevolent institutions of the day, as not warranted by the word of God; viewing them as engines of Satan, to foster and build up the kingdom of antichrist. They receive none to baptism but on a relation of experience, at a church meeting, to the satisfaction of every member present. A consistent walk is insisted on; and when cases for discipline occur, they endeavour to carry out the rule laid down in Matt. xviii.

Although we cannot, and do not wish to boast of great "revivals," after the manner of our "New School" neighbours, some of whom boast they can get up a "revival" whenever they please; yet we can say that the Lord is pleased to manifest his presence in our midst, to the rejoicing of his people, and, during the last year or two, has poured out of his Spirit, in a remarkable manner, when unlooked for, and at places distant from each other; so that "numbers have been added to the Lord, both of men and women." But, generally, it must be confessed that our churches are in a dull, stand-still condition, though, I trust, waiting to "see the salvation of the Lord."

I have been much gratified and edified in hearing Mr. Gunner, Mr. Cowper, Mr. Godwin (of Wiltshire), &c., during my sojourn in London. Such preaching would be highly acceptable to the " Old School Baptists" of America; and should such men, or any of their brethren, ever visit the United States, I hope they will try to find us out; but let them beware of the "New School" folks, who often profess to be "Old School," to deceive the unwary and increase their numbers.

In Philadelphia,* I preached for brother Lewis, who is pastor over a small church in that city. He is, I believe, known to you, as he offered me a letter of introduction, if I expected to visit Manchester. In New York city there is also a small church, under the pastoral care of Elder Goble.

Any further information which you may wish, I will, with pleasure, give, as far as able to do so.

Sound works being so scarce with us, I take the opportunity to say, on my own responsibility, that should you feel disposed to send

* A friend of ours, who lived six years in Philadelphia, has more than once told us that there was no truth preached in that city.