and a sufficient guarantee of respectability. The purchaser made his selection of cloths, and expressed a wish that they might be sent off by that night's waggon for London. As it was his first transaction he would pay half in cash, and give a bill for two months for the remainder; and provided the goods were approved of in the market, he would open a regular account, which he hoped would be mutually advantageous. He then put down £50 in bank notes, adding, that he was going to dine with a certain gentleman that day, and to spend the following one with the first family in the neighbourhood, under whose hospitable roof he might be seen, if another interview should be wished. The order was fulfilled according to desire. But the next morning brought with it some latent suspicion that all was not right. Mr. Burchell hastened to an adjacent town, and tendered the notes at a bank, when he was informed they were of no value, as the house by which they were issued had failed. On his return homeward, he called on the parties with whom the stranger said he was to dine, and found that no such visitor was known by either family. He retraced his steps to the factory, and at once made arrangement to go up to town by the night coach, in the hope of arriving there before the goods. The hundred miles were accomplished in the usual time; and as he was driving to the waggon office in a hackney coach, he saw the purchaser walking down the street. Leaving the vehicle, and without giving an opportunity of recognition, he at once linked arms. The gentleman looked aghast, and on recovering himself, would have run off, but his pursuer held him fast, and told him he would instantly give him into custody if he did not restore him the cloth. Ignorance of the transaction was urgently, but as vainly protested; and the tena cious grasp of the creditor at length extorted from the swindler a promise that, provided no legal measures were taken against him, he would give up the goods. They now proceeded together, but still most firmly united. Just as they reached the office, a light cart, containing the cloth, was leaving it, under the care of several accomplices. Perceiving they were discovered they at once took to their heels. Mr. Burchell then made his companion enter the cart, and drive him to his lodgings, where the goods were secured. He then sat down, and talked to the culprit, concluding his address by saying, that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death;" and if, sir, you continue in your present evil courses, you will find it to be so to your sorrow.' The offender was greatly distressed, thanked his reprover with great earnestness, and having resumed his seat in the cart drove off. "There is a way He A few weeks afterwards, Mr. Burchell had occasion to revisit town on business; and as his eyes glanced over a newspaper, he read the description of a person who had been taken up for horse stealing. Though the name was different, the description so perfectly corresponded with the appearance of his former acquaintance, that he determined to ascertain the fact. accordingly applied for an order to visit him in prison. On being ushered into the cell, he found his conjectures to be correct. The man was confounded and unable to speak; but on being assured by his visitor that no unkind intention was entertained, but rather a benevolent one, he buried his face in his hands as he exclaimed, 'Oh! had I but seen you a few days before I did, it would have saved me from all this bitter sorrow; but now I shall prove your words to be true. I have not forgotten your advice and kindness, and never can. The re ensuing. Accordingly he repaired to London, and in the morning of the 25th of November, made his way to the Society's rooms then in Wood Street, Cheapside. While sitting alone in an ante-room, awaiting his summons with a palpitating heart, another young man entered. After the customary salutation silence ensued for some minutes. At length he asked the stranger whether he were a member of the committee? 'I am not,' was the reply, 'but have arrived from the country to appear before the committee as a candidate for missionary service.' Mr. Burchell hastily rose from his seat, and, grasp membrance of it will accompany me to Botany Bay, whither I shall undoubtedly be sent.' Having recovered a little self-composure, he proceeded to state, that after he was released on the former occasion, he resolved to break with his companions, and told them so. They agreed to divide what spoil they had; at the same time exacting from him a promise to leave the country, so that he might not molest them. To his lot there fell some horses, which he and others had stolen in Oxfordshire on his way down to the manufacturing districts. These he resolved to restore to the several properties whence they had been taken, for which purpose he adopt-ing his hand with affectionate and ed a circuitous route to avoid detection; but he was taken, and brought to London. At the close of this recital, he implored his visitor to come and see him again; this, however, was impracticable, as he was to leave for the country that evening. The contrite man was much distressed at this, and said, 'Had I but heard such words before as those you have spoken, my lot would have been a very different one.' He then shook hands with his friendly adviser, and prayed that blessings might rest on him all the days of his life. His adaptation for missionary work, for which he ardently longed, appearing clearly to his pastor and other friends, the remainder of the term of his apprenticeship was relinquished, that he might at once enter on a course of preparation for his 'high and holy calling;' and having bade adieu to the busy avocations of the factory, he turned his attention to literary pursuits. warm emotion, asked if he were the After a residence of four years at Bristol, he was publicly designated to missionary work in Bethesda chapel, Trowbridge. "At that time when the addition of fifty converts in the course of a year to any separate branch of a mission was regarded as extraordinary, the audience were struck by the terms employed by the large hearted Saffery, when, in the ordination prayer pre Having separated him to the service of Christ, the pastor and church at Shortwood cordially united in commending him to the attention of the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society, who at their monthly meeting held October 13, 1819, resolved to re-sented by him, he desired of God that quest his attendance at the meeting 'he would not withdraw his servant VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES. 2 Y from the field of labour until he had been instrumental in the conversion of at least ten thousand souls.' It would, perhaps, be impossible to ascertain with anything like accuracy the number of those savingly benefited by Mr. Burchell's ministry, but those who have had an opportunity of carefully observing the progress of events have thought the prayer little less than prophetic." Mr. Burchell embarked for Jamaica on the 17th of November, 1823; and after an unusually tempestuous voyage he and Mrs. Burchell were rejoiced to drop anchor in Montego Bay, on the 15th of January, 1824. It was the goal of their hopes; it was destined to become the theatre of their self-denying labours, their bitterest trials, and their noblest triumphs. ASSOCIATIONS OF BAPTIST CHURCHES. THE PRESENT. THE readers of the Baptist Magazine Though but a mere truism, yet the and the denomination generally are thought should be had in constant remuch indebted to Mr. Pottenger for the membrance, that it is the inevitable interesting sketch of baptist associa- tendency of organizations, even for retions given in the last number. It is ligious ends, to deteriorate into the well for us, in these days of ease and mere mechanical. There can, indeed, quiet, occasionally to look back upon be no aggregation of spiritual power by the past, and to contemplate the self-institutions merely. The wise walking denial and the suffering of those who, with the wise grow wiser. Iron sharpin evil days and amidst evil men, wit-eneth iron: but iron will not give point nessed for the truth. "Then those who to lead, nor can pure, spiritual intellect feared the Lord spake often one to ano- vivify the twice dead, or bear upwards ther," not only were they bound toge- and heavenwards on its pinions that ther as having "one Lord, one faith, and which is of the earth, carthy. one baptism," but a community in suffering held them in closest bonds of sympathy, and they were thus fitted to do and to suffer, and were led in solemn earnestness to associate, for the revival of religion and the glory of God: and this they did, although the hand of the strong oppressor was raised to strike, and pains and penalties awaited them. Surely they being dead yet speak; and one of the questions which should reach the attentive ear of the modern baptist is, whether now and in future times associations such as those instituted of old shall be maintained and continued; and not only be maintained and continued, but be made living things, working to the further development of spiritual life. Let it, then, be confessed that our associations are not what they ought to be; that, generally, they do not powerfully tend to promote the welfare of churches, or to extend the cause of the Redeemer; generally, they are not as the gathering together of "live coals" upon the altar of faith and love; they do not enlighten and warm all coming within their influence, nor is the smoke, as of a united sacrifice, seen to arise from them toward the heaven of heavens. If it be so, "Is there not a cause?" and have we the courage to seek it out, and sufficient humility and honesty frankly to declare and confess the same in order to amendment? It is fully conceded, that while there are high and holy motives sufficient to give the most solemn and earnest tone | ple of the town should "wonder what it was all about ?" Ought ten, twenty, thirty evangelists and teachers to sit dumb and idle, and, perhaps, a torturing audience to the preacher who discourses to them? Would it not be a suitable and most worthy use of the occasion, were some of these brethren to take possession of the town, its suburbs, and the nearest villages, and in a square, or at a place where two ways meet, or on a village green, preach "Jesus and the resurrection?" to our associated meetings, there are not now in action those peculiar circumstances which combined to press, as it were, our spiritual forefathers into close communion with each other. We are not tried as were they, nor is the dross of mere profession driven off from the churches by the fierce fire of persecution. Yet there is reason to fear that we are even below our circumstances. In saying this we do not affect to speak of associations from a point which has given a wide circle to our observation, and would be anxious not to generalize upon insufficient facts. We can only testify to that which it has been our lot to observe and to hear, when "associated" with honoured brethren and fathers in the churches. Speaking, then, with this limitation, and thankfully acknowledging the degree of intellectual gratification and moral help which associations have yielded, we must be compelled to confess that there has appeared an A want of earnestness and directness of purpose at some of these gatherings; insomuch that the thought has forced itself again and again upon the mind, that instead of a solemn purpose to promote the glory of God and the revival of religion, the objects, though not consciously such, were pleasant, social intercourse and a holiday. Hence an enormous waste of mental and moral power. Surely association of churches should be nothing less than a galvanic battery, adapted to give healthful, energizing shocks to the entire neighbourhood of the locality in which the meeting was held. Ought it to be, that a few hundred persons should have the delectation of hearing discourses on given subjects within a meeting-house, and thousands, perhaps tens of thousands around them, know nothing of the gathering, and derive no advantage from it? Ought it to be, that the peo We are aware that two objections may be raised to such a course; first, that it would deprive the ministers of services which, at least to some extent, are designed for their benefit. And, secondly, that the business of the association generally demands nearly the whole of the time not occupied by public services. To the first objection we would say, that it implies a form of spiritual or intellectual selfishness, and that in such a case as this "it is more blessed to give (instruction) than to receive." With respect to the second objection it may be observed, that if association business proper were methodized and treated in a brief and business-like manner, and that which really is not business were rigidly excluded, then there would be time for the work of the Christian man, even in the short "to-day" of an association meeting. May we be borne with in speaking very plainly on other matters which give a tone to associations? There has sometimes been, to our apprehension, a want of self-denial, of dignity, and of settled gravity on these occasions. If there has not been levity there has, with some, been far too much of relaxation. There has been too little care to promote pleasant, intellectual,and fraternal intercourse, and too little of settled purpose, to make the occasion one of high spiritual converse. Churches have in some cases, almost repelled association | tering brethren with their sufferings and hard privations! For months we were haunted with the disclosures of this kind at an association; the means of relief so small the wants pressing and so great. Facts of this kind, disclosing the struggles of brethren with corroding and hopeless poverty, are enough of themselves to compel a spirit of seriousness, and the exercise of selfdenial at an associated meeting; and may we not add, that facts such as these should have their practical influence before the association meeting? Will not the reader suffer the word of exhortation, and willingly be entreated to some act of self-denial, in order to a larger contribution to the association fund? The minister does not like begging at all; he does not often preach on the neglected subject of almsgiving; he rarely, perhaps, repeats in your hear meetings from their towns, and difficulties have arisen as to the next place of meeting, because a state of things has grown up, without protest, which makes these meetings burdensome to the few who generally have to make arrangements for them. The "carnal things" have had too much prominence given to them and a change in this respect is necessary in order to more healthful association meetings. At these times something less than even what gospel law and conscience allow, would be an error on virtue's side. The well meaning host should not be expected to sanction the slavery to and the tyranny of, the tobaccopipe, nor allowed to press successfully the use of the spirit case; nor should the minister or messenger even look upon the wine in its redness, even though, when at home, enjoying these luxuries. Let not this be thought harsh, nor being the apostolic injunction, "ministerrejected as coming from an unreasonable ascetic. It is not so, but the utterance of careful eharity. Have we not seen the rush from the dinner-table and the profitable intercourse which should have followed? Have we not seen, pipe in mouth and hands in breeches' pocket, a good man looking the antipodes of good taste, to say nothing more? Have we not been made to feel that the odour of ardent spirits does not blend fittingly with the odour of sanctity? Have we not shrunk into ourselves with the idea, that to those without these things would have the appearance of evil? Have we not heard of the young and sensitive in households being scandalized, and of the satirical mockery of irreligious members of pious families? ing to the necessity of the saints," much less does he urge strongly the claims of the association fund, for it is like pleading the cause of his own order. Do you, then, consider these things, and out of your abundance communicate freely, or from your necessities draw the luxury of a self-denying contribution. One word more. If a larger interest is to be excited in the subject and operation of associations, the members of each church must be helped to a larger acquaintance with every other church. We cannot feel any interest in the affairs of the inhabitants of the moon. Knowledge is essential to sympathy. Moral statistics, or even local facts, are really not below the dignity of the pulpit, and the very fastidious or the very clumsy might remit them to the vestry and a week-night meeting. There are two or three things which would do much to make associations real, and add to their power of doing good to the And, then, amidst these too abundant comforts and indulgences, has come another painful thought; it is this, we have met to appropriate our too scanty association fund. Ah! what tales are then unfolded! What sorrowful disclosures are then made! Poor minis-churches, and beyond the churches. |