A CHEERING SIGHT.

BAPTISING AT THE SURREY TABERNACLE.

On Wednesday evening, the second of March, 1859, many hundreds of persons were to be seen flocking into that sacred place in the Borough Road, where Mr. James Wells preaches the Gospel to thousands of people. On the evening in question, he baptized forty-five persons; and in the following extract, which we give from the address he delivered on that occasion, it would appear, that the whole forty-five were penitent believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The address having been published, the following extract is from a printed copy. In the early part of that address, Mr. Wells said

"You will find in all the Scriptures, if we take the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles,, and the Epistles, you will find in all these that the persons baptized were partakers of the Holy Ghost: that they were real Christians. Take for instance, in the first place Matthew iii. there "They were Baptized in Jordan, confessing their sins;" they knew what they were as sinners. If you ask, to what extent they knew what they were as sinners? the answer is that as this ordinance sets forth the death and resurrection of Christ, and therefore the substitutional work of Christ, for he died not for himself, the Messiah was not cut off for himself, he was cut off for sinners; therefore, when it is said, "they were confessing their sins," the meaning is, that they were sensible of their need of that which is indicated by this ordinance; they were sensible of their need of a substitute; and that substitute is the Lord Jesus Christ; "He bare our sins in his own body on the tree." That is one feature of the character. And every one of the candidates coming forward this evening, have given proof that they do feel their need of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that they do see forgiveness in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; and if they see no more than this, if they feel no more than this, if they are brought thus far, and only thus far, on the heavenly road, they are in the right path, in that way in which by degrees there will yet be unfolded to them the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of God, that passeth knowledge. And you

will find that in the same chapter, where those who were baptized, were baptized confessing their sins; in that same chapter, it is indicated that the same persons were the children of Abraham spiritually, that they were persons of the same faith, and brought into the bond of the same immutable covenant. I will appeal to the candidates, as well as to the assembly at large, upon this point; and there is not one out of the forty-five candidates now before us, who has not been brought to receive, in the love of it too, the testimony of God's immutable covenant: "He sware by himself, because he could swear by no greater,"-they are therefore brought into the bond of the same covenant as was Abraham; and therefore, are the children of Abrabam. Therefore the first feature of the character of those who have any right to be baptized, is that conviction of sin, that brings them down to the Saviour's feet, brings them into the bond of God's covenant. But then to be brought thus to the Saviour's feet, and to be brought to receive the truth of God's immutable covenant in the love of it, and to be beyond doubt or fear, assured of interest in it, are two distinct things.

Surely, under the heavens, no scene could be more delightful! There we were gathered together, so densely crowded, that not another could get in. There stood the honored pastor of the church-the minister of the place, with his deacons, and elders, and candidates around him. Thousands of glassy eye-balls were rolling over the different features of the service; while the preacher poured out a stream of hot and holy truth, illustrative of the good beginnings and gradual growings of the grace of God. Our thirsty souls would ever pray that all who did that night put on the Lord Jesus Christ, by baptism, may never be permitted to cast a shade upon the beauties of that glorious scene.

"THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST."

BY T. W. MEDHURST, KINGSTON-ON-THAMES,

I HAVE just witnessed the preciousness of Jesus' blood, as realized in the experience of one of Zion's children. Being sent for to visit a young woman very ill with consumption, went and found her very low in body, but peaceful and happy in soul;

taking her by the hand, I said, "My dear sister, you seem very ill in body; how is it with your soul?" Never shall I forget her joyous expression of countenance, as she replied, "happy, happy." Where is your happiness found?" "In the precious blood of Christ!" "How long have you felt its preciousness?" "About two years; but more particularly after hearing you preach, Sir!" I then said, "did you merit this blood?" She answered, "Oh, no, I wandered far, very far from God, but he sent his own Son after me, who brought my soul out of darkness."

Calling on our sister two days after, I said, "I am sorry I could not come to see you before, but I have been prevented." "Ah," she replied, "man often disappoints, but God never, he is always faithful, and ever present." Referring to her father, who had excused himself from visiting her, by pleading inability to meet the expenses of travelling, she said, "If he had asked God for the money, I am sure he would have given it to him; but never mind, my heavenly Father is present with me, I need not want any one else, he is all in all." Some time after this visit, Satan was permitted to assault her soul with violent temptations, concerning which she remarked, "Satan is a coward, he knew I was weak, and so took the advantage; but the Spirit enabled me to withstand, it was hard work at the time, but 'tis over now, thanks be unto God." I said, "Are you afraid of death?" She replied, "No," death has no terror since my Jesus died, I long to depart and be with him."

Dear reader, what know you of that "precious_blood," the power of which our dear sister so fully realized? Have you felt its preciousness to your soul? If you have, be encouraged, for you shall ever find its efficacy the same, its virtue is inexhaustible, its reality is ever sure; it was shed for all the chosen, and all the chosen shall participate in its security, and blessedness; to impart peace, purge the conscience, enlighten the understanding, repulse the adversary, and smooth the dying pillow. Rejoice, for heaven awaits you, and all the blood washed company! Victory is certain! for Jesus our Covenant Head, has conquered, and through him, we shall be more than conquerors. To those who see no beauty in Christ, I would quote the words of the Psalmist, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations who forget God."

I will

will find that in the same chapter, where those who were baptized, were baptized confessing their sins; in that same chapter, it is indicated that the same persons were the children of Abraham spiritually, that they were persons of the same faith, and brought into the bond of the same immutable covenant. appeal to the candidates, as well as to the assembly at large, upon this point; and there is not one out of the forty-five candidates now before us, who has not been brought to receive, in the love of it too, the testimony of God's immutable covenant: "He sware by himself, because he could swear by no greater,"-they are therefore brought into the bond of the same covenant as was Abraham; and therefore, are the children of Abrabam. Therefore the first feature of the character of those who have any right to be baptized, is that conviction of sin, that brings them down to the Saviour's feet, brings them into the bond of God's covenant. But then to be brought thus to the Saviour's feet, and to be brought to receive the truth of God's immutable covenant in the love of it, and to be beyond doubt or fear, assured of interest in it, are two distinct things.

Surely, under the heavens, no scene could be more delightful! There we were gathered together, so densely crowded, that not another could get in. There stood the honored pastor of the church-the minister of the place, with his deacons, and elders, and candidates around him. Thousands of glassy eye-balls were rolling over the different features of the service; while the preacher poured out a stream of hot and holy truth, illustrative of the good beginnings and gradual growings of the grace of God. Our thirsty souls would ever pray that all who did that night put on the Lord Jesus Christ, by baptism, may never be permitted to cast a shade upon the beauties of that glorious scene.

"THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST."

BY T. W. MEDHURST, KINGSTON-ON-THAMES,

I HAVE just witnessed the preciousness of Jesus' blood, as realized in the experience of one of Zion's children. Being sent for to visit a young woman very ill with consumption, I went and found her very low in body, but peaceful and happy in soul;

taking her by the hand, I said, "My dear sister, you seem very ill in body; how is it with your soul?" Never shall I forget her joyous expression of countenance, as she replied, "happy, happy." "Where is your happiness found?" "In the precious blood of Christ!" "How long have you felt its preciousness?" "About two years; but more particularly after hearing you preach, Sir!" I then said, " did you merit this blood?" She answered, "Oh, no, I wandered far, very far from God, but he sent his own Son after me, who brought my soul out of darkness."

Calling on our sister two days after, I said, "I am sorry I could not come to see you before, but I have been prevented." "Ah," she replied, "man often disappoints, but God never, he is always faithful, and ever present." Referring to her father, who had excused himself from visiting her, by pleading inability to meet the expenses of travelling, she said, "If he had asked God for the money, I am sure he would have given it to him; but never mind, my heavenly Father is present with me, I need not want any one else, he is all in all." Some time after this visit, Satan was permitted to assault her soul with violent temptations, concerning which she remarked, "Satan is a coward, he knew I was weak, and so took the advantage; but the Spirit enabled me to withstand, it was hard work at the time, but 'tis over now, thanks be unto God." I said, "Are you afraid of death?" She replied, "No," death has no terror since my Jesus died, I long to depart and be with him."

Dear reader, what know you of that "precious blood," the power of which our dear sister so fully realized? Have you felt its preciousness to your soul? If you have, be encouraged, for you shall ever find its efficacy the same, its virtue is inexhaustible, its reality is ever sure; it was shed for all the chosen, and all the chosen shall participate in its security, and blessedness; to impart peace, purge the conscience, enlighten the understanding, repulse the adversary, and smooth the dying pillow. Rejoice, for heaven awaits you, and all the blood-washed company! Victory is certain! for Jesus our Covenant Head, has conquered, and through him, we shall be more than conquerors. To those who see no beauty in Christ, I would quote the words of the Psalmist, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations who forget God."